No, Hamburg has not banned music lessons because they're 'haram'

A widespread claim on social media alleges that the German city of Hamburg has banned music lessons in public schools because music is considered "haram", or forbidden, in Islam.

One post on X says that the ban has been brought in because it would be considered "Islamophobic" to impose music lessons on Muslims.

It's been seen more than half a million times and contains a clip of a German-language news report, which supposedly explains the details of the ban.

However, none of the claims is true. While there have been some reports in German media of isolated incidents where some Muslim students refused to participate in music lessons, there is no ban on music lessons in Hamburg.

A report from Die Welt in June, for example, which features the original video attached to the viral X post, describes lone cases in which students did not attend the lessons due to religious reasons.

It also describes isolated incidents in which girls have been attacked by Muslim students at different schools. Ksenija Bekeris, a Social Democratic (SPD) politician serving as Hamburg's education senator, is quoted as saying that, while none of this behaviour is widespread, it will not be tolerated.

Local paper Hamburger Abendblatt also reported in June on allegations that Muslim students have been threatening or insulting their classmates, and that there is a certain "religious pressure" regarding clothing and behaviour.

So, while there is some evidence of tensions between Muslim individuals and their respective schools, it's a far cry from suggesting that German authorities have banned music lessons for fear of being Islamophobic.

Hamburg's education board clearly lists music as a subject to be taught in schools, with information about the curriculum, educational plans and exam regulations on its website.

Ultimately, Hamburg's Education Authority has also completely rejected any notion that it has banned music lessons.

"This claim is completely unfounded," a spokesperson for the authority told EuroVerify in an email in German. "Of course, music is taught at all schools in Hamburg. This has always been the case, and there are no plans to change it."

Does Islam forbid music?

As for whether music is seen as "haram" in Islam, the issue has long been controversial.

Essentially, there is no single Islamic position, and it depends on an individual's interpretation of the Qur'an and the Hadith—a collection of traditions based on purported sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad.

Many argue that the Qur'an does not explicitly ban music, whereas others claim its condemnation of "frivolous talk" encompasses singing.

This leads to varying views, ranging from complete prohibition to permission under certain conditions.

For example, some scholars deem all instrumental music and singing unacceptable, while others say it's fine as long as it doesn't encourage or incite sinful behaviour, such as drinking alcohol.

Today, many Muslims accept and have embedded music and singing deeply in their culture, religion and daily life, while a minority forbids most, if not all, music.

Regardless of one's interpretation, the false claims about music lessons in Hamburg form part of a wider disinformation narrative designed to villainise immigrants and whip up fear.