GERMANY: German Interior Minister Mr Otto Schily yesterday called on the nation's three million Muslims to clearly condemn Islamic violence, a plea criticised by Muslim leaders as showing a lack of understanding of their community.
"I expect Muslims in Germany not only to affirm that they are peace-loving people. That goes for the overwhelming majority. But the Muslims cannot just be passive onlookers. They must also campaign for peace in society," Mr Schily told the Süddeutsche Zeitung yesterday, nine days after the Madrid train bombings bombs killed over 200 people. "I sometimes feel, for example, a certain sensibility is lacking about what can and what cannot be preached in a mosque.
"Also the condemnation of Islamic violence could be expressed more clearly. Why are there no demonstrations of Muslim citizens against Islamic terror?" Mr Schily continued.
Islamic groups said the comments showed Mr Schily was ignorant of the beliefs and activities of Germany's Islamic community. "It is clear that our interior minister does not know about the Islamic community. We are doing a lot against terror," Mr Ali Kizilkaya, chairman of Germany's Islamic Council, said.
Germany was home to three of the September 11th hijackers and security officials believe 30,000 to 50,000 Islamic militants may be living within its borders.
German Islamic leaders have criticised the authorities for police raids on many mosques and the apartments of Muslims, saying they risk alienating the vast majority of Germany's 3.2 million Muslims, rather than making them partners in the fight.
Mr Kizilkaya said it would be better for Mr Schily to reach out to Islamic groups, creating for example an "alliance for security" through talks with a broad range of community associations.
Mr Nadeem Elyas, chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, said Muslims were already actively engaged in the war against militants. "We know concrete cases in which Islamic groups have passed on information about suspect people or activities," Mr Elyas said. - (Reuters)