DDHK News, Germany - More than 10 thousand German citizens took to the streets in Berlin in solidarity action against terrorism and against Islamophobia, Tuesday (13/1/2015) local time. The action, led by the Muslim community in Germany, was also attended by President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Reported with the BBC, Wednesday (14/1/2015), organizers of the solidarity action explained that the aim of this action was to condemn the terror that occurred in Paris and to sympathize with the victims. Therefore solidarity was concentrated at the Brandenburg Gate, near the French embassy in Berlin. In addition, actions were also carried out against the "anti-Islamization" movement carried out by the Pegida organization in various cities in Germany.
In his speech at the Brandenburg Gate, President Gauck said, "all German citizens are one".
“Germany is becoming more and more diverse because of the flow of immigration - religiously, culturally and mentally. This diversity makes this country even more successful, attractive and well-liked, ”said Gauck.
The head of the German Muslim Council, Aiman Mazyek, said this solidarity was to show the world that Germany is an open country. "With a big soul, who respects freedom of opinion, press and religion," said Mazyek.
This solidarity action was even broadcast live by a German television station with the headline "Germany is Charlie". This headline refers to the slogan "Je Suis Charlie" (We are Charlie), which condemns the barbaric acts that killed 12 people in an attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France.
Although driven by the Muslim community, this solidarity was also followed by senior figures from various political views. Christian and Jewish leaders also actively participated in this solidarity action.
Earlier, Chancellor Angela Merkel thanked the Muslim community for quickly condemning acts of terror. According to Merkel, last Monday, Islam has become part of Germany, and there is no place for hatred, racism and extremism in the country.
For information, terror in France has also triggered a wave of Islamophobia in Europe, including Germany. The Pegida group held a large demonstration last Monday to condemn terror in Paris. In addition, Pegida also called for "anti-Islamization" in Germany.
However, a number of political leaders in Germany consider the Pegida movement to only complement the terror events in Paris. Because, so far, Pegida is better known as the extreme right group. For information, Pegida was founded by activist Lutz Bachmann in October 2014. The name Pegida is an acronym for Patriotische Europaer Gegen die Islamisierung des Abendlandes –European Patriots Against Islamization in the West. (with the BBC). *
