German president says Islam belongs to Germany

German President Steinmeier says Islam belongs to Germany amid growing Islamophobia and racism in the country. This statement comes following a report highlighting widespread discrimination against Muslims in Germany. Steinmeier underlines the importance of freedom of religion and the rights of believers

The German president at the celebration of the Islamic Centers in Cologne

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said that “Islam belongs to Germany,” in contrast to growing racism and Islamophobia in the country. Racism and Islamophobia is fueled by politicians, media and far-right groups trying to spread fear towards immigrants.

“Islam, the Muslim religion, Muslim life, Muslim culture have taken root in our country”, Steinmeier said during the 50th anniversary celebration of the Association of Islamic Cultural Centers in Cologne.

“Today the diversity of Islam, the diversity of over 5 million Muslims, is also part of our country”, he added.

Steinmeier stressed that freedom of religion also implies the protection of the rights of all believers.
“Germany is an ideologically neutral state. But freedom of religion does not mean that our country is devoid of religion. No, it means giving space to religions and protecting the freedom of believers, all the believers".

His comments come following a recent report which said racism and Islamophobia have become part of everyday life in Germany. According to a report published in June by the Berlin-based non-governmental organisation, the Alliance against Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred, a total of 898 anti-Muslim incidents were recorded in Germany in 2022, while the number of unreported cases remains high.

The fight against racism and Islamophobia in Germany

The report highlights that racism is part of the daily life of Muslims in Germany, with many recorded cases involving women. Among the documented cases were 500 verbal attacks, including inflammatory statements, insults, threats and coercion. Eleven letters threatening mosques were recorded containing “often excessive threats of violence and death” and Nazi symbols or references to the Nazi era.

The report also highlighted 190 cases of discrimination and 167 of "harmful behaviour". The latter category included 71 cases of physical injury, 44 cases of property damage, three arson attacks and 49 other acts of violence. Furthermore, racially motivated attacks against youth and children are increasing. There are cases where women have been attacked in the presence of their children and pregnant women have been hit or kicked in the stomach. The study authors believe that the number of unreported cases is high due to the lack of widespread coverage media.

The first situation report included data from 10 counseling centers in five German states, reports via the “I-Report” portal, statistics on politically motivated violence, and reports from the police force and the media.

Anti-Muslim crimes often go unrecognized as such or those affected do not report them due to a lack of trust in the authorities, the report said. The report calls for, among other things, the expansion of reporting structures and raising awareness on the topic among authorities, schools and the healthcare sector. Germany, with a population of more than 84 million, has the second largest Muslim population in Western Europe after France. According to official data, the country is home to over 5 million Muslims.

Editorial