This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/afd-islam-politician-arthur-wagner-conversion-germany-far-right-a8175896.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
German politician quits far-right AfD party role after converting to Islam German politician quits far-right AfD party role after converting to Islam
(about 2 hours later)
A politician from the far-right, anti-Muslim Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has quit his leadership role and converted to Islam. A politician from the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party, known for its anti-Muslim rhetoric, has quit his leadership role and converted to Islam.
Arthur Wagner stepped down from his post in the eastern Brandenburg state but remains a member of the party.Arthur Wagner stepped down from his post in the eastern Brandenburg state but remains a member of the party.
AfD claims Islam is incompatible with the German constitution and wants a ban on minarets and the face-covering burqa.AfD claims Islam is incompatible with the German constitution and wants a ban on minarets and the face-covering burqa.
It became the third-largest party in the country’s parliament after the general election last September.It became the third-largest party in the country’s parliament after the general election last September.
The party said it stood for the constitutional right of religious freedom, regardless of Mr Wagner’s conversion.The party said it stood for the constitutional right of religious freedom, regardless of Mr Wagner’s conversion.
“Mr Wagner could also choose another religion,” Daniel Friese, a spokesman of the party, told Berliner Zeitung, noting that Mr Wagner had resigned from the board two weeks ago.“Mr Wagner could also choose another religion,” Daniel Friese, a spokesman of the party, told Berliner Zeitung, noting that Mr Wagner had resigned from the board two weeks ago.
“Mr Wagner resigned on 11 January from the state board on his own volition.“Mr Wagner resigned on 11 January from the state board on his own volition.
“Only afterwards was it known that he had converted to Islam,” Mr Friese added.“Only afterwards was it known that he had converted to Islam,” Mr Friese added.
Mr Wagner declined to comment on his conversion. “He does not want to speak with the press. He believes it is a private affair,” the party spokesman said.Mr Wagner declined to comment on his conversion. “He does not want to speak with the press. He believes it is a private affair,” the party spokesman said.
Berlin daily Tagesspiegel reported on Wednesday that Mr Wagner, who joined AfD shortly after it was founded in 2013, has previously been active in a group assisting refugees. German daily Tagesspiegel reported on Wednesday that Mr Wagner, who joined AfD shortly after it was founded in 2013, has previously been active in a group assisting refugees.
Earlier this month, an AfD lawmaker caused a furore after accusing police of “appeasing the barbaric, Muslim, rapist hordes of men” by tweeting in Arabic.
AP/ReutersAP/Reuters