E/CN.4/1998/6/Add.2 page 22 tradition of tolerance which, notwithstanding certain vicissitudes, is no less real. It is within, and thanks to, this overall framework that freedom of religion and freedom of belief can and do express themselves. 87. Where religious minorities are concerned, the Jewish community is generally satisfied with its situation and sometimes goes so far as to describe it as privileged in comparison with that in other democratic countries. 88. The Jewish community is able to flourish as a religious minority and enjoys very active political, institutional and financial support from the State. Not only have the German authorities adopted and implemented an immigration policy that is favourable to the arrival of Jews from the former USSR, to ensure the continued existence of the Jewish communities in Germany, but they also keep a very close watch on any manifestations of hostility towards the Jewish community. 89. The situation of the Muslim minority is markedly less favourable, although on the whole it is not unsatisfactory. Many Muslims in Germany are concerned about a number of issues and problems. 90. The first issue is granting of the status of legal person in public law which Muslims have applied for but not yet obtained. Admittedly, the fact that they do not enjoy this status in no way means that Muslims are denied the constitutional guarantees applicable to religion. However, this status makes it possible to institutionalize a form of cooperation with the State with the common aim of dealing with the same group of people. In conformity with article 140 of the Constitution and with German case law, the Muslim community satisfies the criteria regarding its statute, the size of its membership, the guarantee of permanence and respect for the legal order of the State. In view of the pragmatic approach to this issue shown by German officials during the Special Rapporteur's visit, and as it is not possible to treat Islam in the same way as a Christian Church or for it to be represented by an authority, the Special Rapporteur believes that it would be useful to hold broad consultations with Muslim organizations with a view to granting the status of legal person in public law to those that agree to cooperate with the State. This would create a momentum vis-à-vis the other organizations and it would be spelled out that a distinction between a legal person in public law and community with the status and advantages of a legal person in public law might usefully be envisaged. Practical, pragmatic, and hence operational solutions cannot be excluded unless they have been actively sought, tried out or desired. 91. In view of the wish to introduce the teaching of Islam into State schools in order to provide genuine religious instruction free from indoctrination and regimentation, granting public status, or at least its equivalent, would be extremely useful. This legal status, together with the rights and advantages associated with it (which include public funding), would enable the Muslim minority to enjoy greater independence from foreign influence. It would offer a better guarantee that the teaching of Islam would convey values of tolerance and openness towards religious diversity and would ultimately ensure better integration of Muslims within German society, thereby halting any drift towards exclusion or isolation. This necessary integration