In Germany, there are two important services for Muslim pastoral care: Seelsorge-BW in Baden-Württemberg and MuTeS nationwide. Both help people in emotional crises, but they work in different ways.
Seelsorge-BW: Local help
Seelsorge-BW is a project in Baden-Württemberg. For 16 years, it has been offering Muslim pastoral care directly in institutions. There, around 100 pastoral caregivers support people who are ill, grieving, feeling guilty, or lonely. The work takes place primarily in hospitals, prisons, mental health clinics, nursing homes, and in accompanying people at the end of their lives.
Independent and non-profit
The organization is independent and operates on a non-profit basis. It is supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, and Integration in Baden-Württemberg and cooperates with the Institute for Integration and Interreligious Work in Mannheim. The non-profit organization provides training and further education.
There are three permanent locations in Tübingen: the BG Accident Clinic, the University Hospital, and the correctional facility. Anyone seeking help can visit the website seelsorge-bw.de and write via the contact form at seelsorge-bw.de/kontakt.
MuTeS: Telephone counseling for all of Germany
MuTeS is the „Muslim Counseling Telephone.” It is a service for the whole of Germany. Telephone support is available here around the clock, every day. The calls are free of charge and confidential.
MuTeS is supported by Islamic Relief Germany. Since its inception in 2009, MuTeS has been cooperating with Caritas, Diakonie, and the Kirchliche TelefonSeelsorge Berlin-Brandenburg (Church Telephone Counseling Service Berlin-Brandenburg) – particularly in the training, further education, and supervision of volunteers.
Help in many languages
Since 2009, more than 76,000 calls have been answered and over 50,000 hours of volunteer help have been provided. Calls can be made in German, Arabic, Turkish, Urdu, English, and other languages.
Contact can be made via the website mutes.de, by telephone on 030 44 35 09 821 or by email to mutes@islamicrelief.de.
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