All news

Merkel warns against isolating Muslims in Germany

“Islam belongs in Germany like any other religion, including Judaism,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel said
Mosque in Gelsenkirchen, Germany AP Photo/Martin Meissner
Mosque in Gelsenkirchen, Germany
© AP Photo/Martin Meissner

BELIN, January 15. /TASS/. Any isolation of Muslims in Germany or unfounded accusations against them are inadmissible, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told the country’s parliament on Thursday.

Merkel’s statement came in defense of 4 million Muslims who reside in Germany, as tensions deepen in Europe following last week’s deadly attacks in Paris.

“Any isolation of Muslims in Germany and any indiscriminate suspicion is banned,” Merkel stressed. “We guarantee that the Islamic religion in the framework of our constitution and other laws may be freely practiced,” she added.

She said “Islam belongs in Germany like any other religion, including Judaism.” “Discrimination and isolation should not take place here,” the German leader stressed.

Merkel condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and stressed that Germany stands in solidarity with France.

“Germany and France stand shoulder to shoulder in these difficult days,” she said, adding that there will be no security in Germany if it does not exist in France.

The German leader stressed the importance of the freedom of press which is one of the biggest achievements of the modern society.

The attacks in and around Paris over three days from January 7-9 have left 17 people dead. The victims are ten journalists from satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which had earlier published caricature images of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, three policemen and four visitors of a kosher grocery store.