German leader: Muslims belong here

[Turborama]

Source: Al Jazeera English

German president says "Muslims belong in Germany" as much as Christians and Jews after Islamophobia surges.

Last Modified: Oct 03 2010 21:18 GMT -

The German president has urged his people to recognise that the religion of Islam and its followers have a legitimate place in Germany after a recent spike in anti-Muslim sentiment in the country.

Christian Wulff, who as president is considered a moral authority for the country, issued the statement on Sunday during a speech celebrating two decades of the country's reunification.

"Christianity doubtless belongs in Germany. Judaism belongs doubtless in Germany. That is our Judeo-Christian history. But by now, Islam also belongs in Germany," Wulff told an audience in the northern city of Bremen.

"First and foremost, we need adopt a clear stance: an understanding that for Germany, belonging is not restricted to a passport, a family history, or a religion," he said.

Read more: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/10/20101031868870102.html

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Given their history, it comes to something when even the German president feels the need to have to say this.

[unkachuck]

1. "...belonging is not restricted to a passport, a family history, or a religion,"

....thank you Mr. Wulff....you have codified the issue....

....everyone belongs!!!....turning on each other only serves the interests of the rich and powerful when they, being the source of our pain and suffering, deserve our full attention....

[earcandle]

2. This is cool. Thanks for standing up for principles!

[pampango]

3. "belonging is not restricted to a passport, a family history, or a religion"

Nice to smell a pleasant whiff of tolerance amidst the stink of hate speech. :)

[alp227]

4. Thank you, Mr. President.

SOMEONE needs to stand up to the trash talkers obsessed with hyperbole and Nazi analogies.

[closeupready]

5. K&R

n/t