German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said he believes there is a place for Islam in Germany, Der Spiegel reported Tuesday.
His statement came in response to comments made by Interior Minister Horst Seehofer last week. The leader of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) claimed in an interview Islam “doesn’t belong to Germany” and unveiled plans to tighten the country’s immigration policies.
“Of course the Muslims living here do belong to Germany,” Seehofer later added. “My message is: Muslims need to live with us, not next to us or against us.”
Seehofer’s controversial comments were met with approval by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), but condemned by every other major party.
The German president on Tuesday urged politicians to focus on discussing policies to boost integration rather than fighting over headlines. Germany should stand by former German President Christian Wulff’s assertion that “Islam is now also part of Germany,” he said. [POLITICO] Read more
