 Germany's president Horst Koehler has appealed to Muslims in the country to feel like Germans, not immigrants. | “Muslim life is part of German normalcy ” |
In a message to mark the feast of Eid al-Fitr, which ends the fasting month of Ramadan next Monday, Koehler said, "Muslim life is part of German normalcy." He said change was already under way with young people perceiving themselves less as having foreign origins. "They identify themselves increasingly with Germany and know the responsibility that arises from this.
"I hope that in the end, as many men and women as possible living here will say, 'This is my home, I'm faithful to this country, I will live by its laws. I am a German Muslim'." | It's worked well everywhere else it's been tried ... |
He said a start had been made and the process should be continued and set an example to the rest of the world that would say, "Look at us, we can be different from one another, while mutually respecting and being interested in one another without mistrust or fear." | The alternative isn't pretty. |
The presidential greetings to German Muslims were issued Friday before the start of the two-day German weekend |