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Merkel pledges to stand against intolerance as she joins Muslim rally Merkel pledges to stand against intolerance as she joins Muslim rally
(less than a minute earlier)
Angela Merkel has condemned the marginalisation of Muslims and other groups as “humanly reprehensible”, pledging that her government would use all the means at its disposal to fight intolerance.Angela Merkel has condemned the marginalisation of Muslims and other groups as “humanly reprehensible”, pledging that her government would use all the means at its disposal to fight intolerance.
The German chancellor, who has taken the strongest stance of any European leader in the wake of the Paris attacks, joined a Muslim community rally at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to condemn the killings and admonish the growing anti-Islamic movement in the country, a day after it drew record numbers of supporters.The German chancellor, who has taken the strongest stance of any European leader in the wake of the Paris attacks, joined a Muslim community rally at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to condemn the killings and admonish the growing anti-Islamic movement in the country, a day after it drew record numbers of supporters.
Yesterday’s rally was promoted as a demonstration for tolerance and openness and it saw Jews, Christians and Muslims stand side by side in a wet and windy Berlin under the slogan: “Stand together for a tolerant and open-minded Germany.”Yesterday’s rally was promoted as a demonstration for tolerance and openness and it saw Jews, Christians and Muslims stand side by side in a wet and windy Berlin under the slogan: “Stand together for a tolerant and open-minded Germany.”
While an imam prayed and verses from the Koran were recited, in which the message was “to take a life is to kill humanity”, politicians linked arms in a symbol of solidarity next to the Brandenburg Gate, which was bathed in the colours of the French flag.While an imam prayed and verses from the Koran were recited, in which the message was “to take a life is to kill humanity”, politicians linked arms in a symbol of solidarity next to the Brandenburg Gate, which was bathed in the colours of the French flag.
Politicians laid a wreath made out of coloured pens on the steps of the nearby French embassy, to remember the journalists of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo who were killed in the attacks.Politicians laid a wreath made out of coloured pens on the steps of the nearby French embassy, to remember the journalists of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo who were killed in the attacks.
Aiman Mazyek, the chair of Germany’s Central Council of Muslims, said: “The terrorists haven’t won and neither will they win in the future.”Aiman Mazyek, the chair of Germany’s Central Council of Muslims, said: “The terrorists haven’t won and neither will they win in the future.”
The rally’s central message, which was directed at the anti-Muslim demonstrators of the Pegida movement as much as at radical Islam, was that diversity is Germany’s strength. The German president, Joachim Gauck, said: “We will not give you our fear. Your hate is our incentive.”The rally’s central message, which was directed at the anti-Muslim demonstrators of the Pegida movement as much as at radical Islam, was that diversity is Germany’s strength. The German president, Joachim Gauck, said: “We will not give you our fear. Your hate is our incentive.”
He said while the Paris attacks had been deeply wounding for society, “they have also caused us to reflect”.He said while the Paris attacks had been deeply wounding for society, “they have also caused us to reflect”.
But he spoke of his concern over the “hundreds of young German men” – about 230 are known to authorities – who had gone off to fight in foreign lands in the name of religion, calling it “an abuse and a perversion of religion”.But he spoke of his concern over the “hundreds of young German men” – about 230 are known to authorities – who had gone off to fight in foreign lands in the name of religion, calling it “an abuse and a perversion of religion”.
He said his country was what it was thanks to immigration, which had enriched Germany “religiously, culturally and mentally”.He said his country was what it was thanks to immigration, which had enriched Germany “religiously, culturally and mentally”.
Gauck finished his speech by saying “Wir Alle sind Deutschland” (all of us are Germany) which was not only a nod to the “Je suis Charlie” catchphrase, now familiar the world over, but to the “Wir sind ein Volk” slogan (we are the people), a phrase chanted by demonstrators campaigning against the communist regime of East Germany in 1989 which has been hijacked by Pegida. The latter uses it to mean the far more divisive “we are the people, not you the foreigners”.Gauck finished his speech by saying “Wir Alle sind Deutschland” (all of us are Germany) which was not only a nod to the “Je suis Charlie” catchphrase, now familiar the world over, but to the “Wir sind ein Volk” slogan (we are the people), a phrase chanted by demonstrators campaigning against the communist regime of East Germany in 1989 which has been hijacked by Pegida. The latter uses it to mean the far more divisive “we are the people, not you the foreigners”.
Earlier, Merkel, who did not speak at the rally, strengthened her already firm stance on what is likely to be a major political challenge for the rest of her chancellorship, telling an audience in the German capital that racism had no place in Germany. “Excluding population groups due to their faith or their origin is beneath the dignity of our liberal state,” she said.Earlier, Merkel, who did not speak at the rally, strengthened her already firm stance on what is likely to be a major political challenge for the rest of her chancellorship, telling an audience in the German capital that racism had no place in Germany. “Excluding population groups due to their faith or their origin is beneath the dignity of our liberal state,” she said.
“Hatred of foreigners, racism and extremism have no place in this country.”“Hatred of foreigners, racism and extremism have no place in this country.”
She pledged that the German government would “use all the means at our disposal as a constitutional state to combat intolerance and violence”.She pledged that the German government would “use all the means at our disposal as a constitutional state to combat intolerance and violence”.
Her comments came on the back of remarks she made that were splashed across most newspapers on Tuesday, in which she said that “Islam belongs to Germany”.Her comments came on the back of remarks she made that were splashed across most newspapers on Tuesday, in which she said that “Islam belongs to Germany”.
Tuesday’s vigil, in which leaders from the Muslim, Jewish and other religious communities came together, was attended by a crowd of about 4,000.Tuesday’s vigil, in which leaders from the Muslim, Jewish and other religious communities came together, was attended by a crowd of about 4,000.
It came a day after record numbers gathered for an anti-Islam demonstration in the eastern city of Dresden to call for an end to multiculturalism and to urge lawmakers to tighten immigration rules.It came a day after record numbers gathered for an anti-Islam demonstration in the eastern city of Dresden to call for an end to multiculturalism and to urge lawmakers to tighten immigration rules.
An estimated 25,000 members of Pegida marched through the city on Monday night in what was turned into a “march of mourning” for the victims of the Paris attacks, with many wearing black ribbons.An estimated 25,000 members of Pegida marched through the city on Monday night in what was turned into a “march of mourning” for the victims of the Paris attacks, with many wearing black ribbons.
The group has said the Paris attacks have confirmed their fears over Islamism.The group has said the Paris attacks have confirmed their fears over Islamism.
Germany’s justice minister, Heiko Maas, accused the group of instrumentalising the killings and called their decision to turn their weekly march into a funeral procession hypocritical, because of Pegida’s blanket condemnation of the media as “Liar Press”, a Nazi-era term.Germany’s justice minister, Heiko Maas, accused the group of instrumentalising the killings and called their decision to turn their weekly march into a funeral procession hypocritical, because of Pegida’s blanket condemnation of the media as “Liar Press”, a Nazi-era term.
Crowds at Tuesday’s Berlin rally wore badges with the slogan “Zusammenstehen, Gesicht Zeigen” (stand together, show your face).Crowds at Tuesday’s Berlin rally wore badges with the slogan “Zusammenstehen, Gesicht Zeigen” (stand together, show your face).
Amid tight security, snipers were situated on the roofs of banks and embassies.Amid tight security, snipers were situated on the roofs of banks and embassies.
On Friday the Muslim group Ditib is due to hold candlelit vigils in front of editorial offices around Germany, to express its support for the freedom of speech.On Friday the Muslim group Ditib is due to hold candlelit vigils in front of editorial offices around Germany, to express its support for the freedom of speech.