Statement from the University of Siegen

The University of Siegen expressly distances itself from any form of unequal treatment of the sexes. Such practices are in absolute contradiction to the general guidelines and values of the university, which are based on equality, openness and inclusion.

The reason for this statement is an event organized by the Muslim University Group (MHG) on university premises, at which there were separate entrances for the genders.

The university management held a meeting with the MHG on July 8, 2025 and made it clear that this approach is unacceptable and that gender segregation at events on university premises is prohibited.

In the meeting, the university management also laid down principles for further cooperation and reached the following agreement with the MHG for student-organized events:

• There is no segregation of genders at events through separate entrances.
• A voluntary choice of seats in the rooms must continue to be guaranteed.
• The university will provide support in allocating suitable rooms.
• The university will monitor future MHG events.

On the basis of this agreement, the allocation of rooms for MHG events is possible in accordance with the room allocation regulations. The university management had temporarily suspended them until the date of the meeting.

The MHG event was a lecture by Dr. Martin Mahmud Kellner - an event organized by the MHG on its own initiative, which was not part of teaching at the university. The university had made a room available for the event.

The university did not have any details about the organization of the MHG event with regard to separate entrances for the genders. The university would not have agreed to such a procedure under any circumstances.

In the meeting on 8 July, the university management also emphasized that the regulations that had been made naturally also apply to the "Room of Silence". The Room of Silence must be accessible to everyone at all times.

Note: On July 4, 2025, the university issued a statement on the topic of "gender segregation" on university premises. We have updated the statement following clarification of the facts.