"Islam Is Part Of Germany & Europe"
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Courtesy Of: Bernama.com.my
By Manik Mehta
Berlin, Oct 1 (Bernama)--German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble surprised many of his colleagues from the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which together with the Social Democratic Party (SDP) rule Germany, with his moderate views on Islam at a conference on the religion in Berlin's Charlottenburg Castle on Tuesday.
For the first time, 15 representatives from the federal government, the Laender (state) and local city administrations, met with 15 representatives of various Moslem organisations in Germany in an effort to feel each other's pulse on a number of issues ranging from Islam and the state to relations between Moslems and Germans.
"It was a productive meeting," said a representative of one of the Islamic organisations in a private conversation with Bernama.
"What we need is moderation from both sides...and both sides refrained from the usual cliche-ridden attacks on each other. Also, for the first time in an open debate, there was a feeling amongst Moslems that Islam, as a peaceful religion, should not be hijacked and misused by extremists."
In an official statement released during a debate in Parliament to mark the holding of the conference, Schaeuble described the meeting as a "successful prelude to a process lasting several years which cannot always have a harmonious run."
"Islam is part of Germany and Europe, it is part of our future," Schaeuble stated to resounding applause from the Parliamentarians.
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