German Muslims call for serious confrontation with extremist groups

Following increase in activities of the far-right extremist groups in Germany called ‘PEGIDA’, which have turned to be one of main concerns of German citizens, Muslim community urged the government to face more seriously with the violent extremists.
German Muslims call for serious confrontation with extremist groups
Different cities in Germany, especially Dresden city, at the beginning of the week on Monday witnessed rallies and street protests of extremist groups and supporters of neo-Nazis, who under legal rights of civil protest, are adding fuel to feeling of anti-immigrants and Islamophobia among the citizens.

The newly established group of PEGIDA (Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West) emerged around 10 weeks ago in the city of Dresden and every Monday they hold protests and rallies to put pressure on government to change its policy of accepting immigrants, especially Muslims.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has urged his compatriots not to attend such protests and not to be deceived by demagogic groups.

German Muslim community leaders have strongly criticized increased streets violence and physical attacks against Muslims in recent weeks.

However, German government is trying to downgrade the anti-Islam and anti- immigrants moves of PEGIDA.

Germany Interior Ministry Spokesperson Johannes Dimroth, in reaction to concerns on increasing activities of the extremist groups, said the situation is not normal but it is not very worrying.

Published statistics by government indicate that in the years 2001 -2011, on average, 22 mosques and Islamic centers were attacked annually, while the figure increased in the years 2012 and 2013 to 36 cases.

According to the presented statistics by the Islamic groups, there are around 3,000 Islamic centers in Germany for religious activities in different cities.

German Justice Minister Heiko Maas from Social Democrat Party is opposed to weekly demonstrations and has said that street protests by extremists is a ‘disgrace’. He has called for serious confrontation of government and security bodies of the country with the phenomenon.