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165963
Sat, 03/05/2011 - 10:24
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https://www.oananews.org//node/165963
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German new interior minister in hot water over anti-Islam remarks
Berlin, March 5, IRNA -- New German Interior Minister Hans-Peter Friedrich has been under fire for saying Islam is not part of Germany even though more than four million Muslims are living in the country, media reports said here Friday.
Reacting to the minister's controversial statements, the Chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany Aiman Mazyek said, 'There are a whole series of unique historic references to Islam and the Islamic world in Europe. No one can seriously deny that.'
'Today, Muslims are an irreplaceable part of German society,' he added.
Meanwhile, senior German politicians of almost all major parties, including the co-ruling Free Democratic Party (FDP), lashed out at Friedrich for his comments which were made on Thursday, only a few hours after taking office as Germany's new interior minister.
The head of the opposition Green party Cem Ozdemir who is of Turkish origin, stressed Friedrich's statements highlighted a 'crude understanding of society.'
Ozdemir's sentiments were echoed by a fellow member of his party, Renate Kuenast who pointed out Muslims have been in Germany for a long time.
The latest controversy has also rocked the center-right government of Chancellor Angela Merkel as Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger has openly voiced her disagreement with Friedrich's anti-Islam remarks.
'Of course Islam belongs to Germany,' reiterated Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger who is a cabinet member of the co-governing FDP.
Her comments were underscored by the domestic policy spokesman of the FDP, Hartfrid Wolff who emphasized that Muslims had been a 'real part of Germany for several generations.'
Friedrich's statement contradicted also those made by German President Christian Wulff in October, when he said Islam now 'belongs to Germany' because of millions of Muslims who live in the country.
Both politicians are members of the conservative parties that form the larger partner of Germany's coalition government.
Political observers view the provocative remarks by Friedrich as a desperate attempt to shore up conservative voters ahead of crucial regional elections later this month./end
Reacting to the minister's controversial statements, the Chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany Aiman Mazyek said, 'There are a whole series of unique historic references to Islam and the Islamic world in Europe. No one can seriously deny that.'
'Today, Muslims are an irreplaceable part of German society,' he added.
Meanwhile, senior German politicians of almost all major parties, including the co-ruling Free Democratic Party (FDP), lashed out at Friedrich for his comments which were made on Thursday, only a few hours after taking office as Germany's new interior minister.
The head of the opposition Green party Cem Ozdemir who is of Turkish origin, stressed Friedrich's statements highlighted a 'crude understanding of society.'
Ozdemir's sentiments were echoed by a fellow member of his party, Renate Kuenast who pointed out Muslims have been in Germany for a long time.
The latest controversy has also rocked the center-right government of Chancellor Angela Merkel as Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger has openly voiced her disagreement with Friedrich's anti-Islam remarks.
'Of course Islam belongs to Germany,' reiterated Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger who is a cabinet member of the co-governing FDP.
Her comments were underscored by the domestic policy spokesman of the FDP, Hartfrid Wolff who emphasized that Muslims had been a 'real part of Germany for several generations.'
Friedrich's statement contradicted also those made by German President Christian Wulff in October, when he said Islam now 'belongs to Germany' because of millions of Muslims who live in the country.
Both politicians are members of the conservative parties that form the larger partner of Germany's coalition government.
Political observers view the provocative remarks by Friedrich as a desperate attempt to shore up conservative voters ahead of crucial regional elections later this month./end
