Israel Matzav

OMG: Merkel attends Muslim Brotherhood 'tolerance' rally

A solemn demonstration has begun in Berlin to promote tolerance and religious freedom in the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks in Paris which left 17 people dead in Paris. Holding signs that say “Yes to tolerance” and “Je suis Charlie” complete with crescents, crosses, and Stars of David, a crowd of thousands has gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

The vigil was called by the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD), which represents 28 different Muslim organizations, and the Turkish Community of Berlin (TGB). German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck, who will give a short speech later, stopped with ZMD chairman Ayman A. Mazyek in front of the French embassy for a moment of silence, before approaching the stage.

After beginning the rally with a prayer sung by an imam, Mazyek took the podium. He greeted the gathered government representatives, leaders from Christian and Jewish groups who also stood behind him on the stage, and the crowd.

Mayzek said “we all mourn” with France and the victims’ families. “The terrorists have not won and will not win” he said to applause, and called on those gathered to stand together as a “society open to world.” He concluded with “we are all Germany.”

Mayor Michael Müller spoke next, and called on Berliners to reject Islamaphobia, a reference to the PEGIDA anti-Islamization marches that have popped up across Germany in recent weeks, especially in Dresden.

Müller’s speech was followed by a group of religious leaders, including Matthias Heinrich, the Catholic Archbishop of Berlin, and Abraham Lehrer, the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany…

…Numerous members of government were also in Berlin to take part in the demonstration, along with members of the parties which hold seats in parliament and representatives of work unions.

Green party domestic expert Volker Beck has called on the government to do more than attend vigils, saying it is time for the government to make Islam and mosques legally equivalent to Christian churches. It was “socio-politically counterproductive and sows a culture of mistrust,” to discuss Islam in Germany only in terms of security, said Beck.

Labels: Angela Merkel, Germany, Muslim Brotherhood, tolerance

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:07 AM