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Anti-Muslim Sentiment Grows In Germany

By Howard M. Friedman

A Reuters report carried today by Bernama reviews the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment in Germany. According to the report: "Germany's inflamed public debate about Islam and integration risks serious overheating as politicians compete to make ever tougher statements criticizing Muslim immigrants they accuse of refusing to fit in here." The current round of criticisms was apparently flamed by a book, "Germany Abolishes Itself," written by Bundesbank council member Thilo Sarrazin.  He portrays Muslims as welfare cheats who are outbreeding native Germans. Sarrazin was forced to resign after the book appeared, but many Germans agree with him. (Background.) A new poll shows that 58% of Germans say that Muslims' rights to practice their religion in Germany should be considerably limited. Opponents charge the ruling Christian Democratic and Free Democratic parties with using Muslims as scapegoats in the current economic crisis. However Germany's president Christian Wulff has called for integration of Muslims, saying that Islam belongs in Germany. (See prior related posting.)

Full post as published by Religion Clause on October 19, 2010 (boomark / email).