Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments are rising to new levels in Germany. Most of the anger and disappointment directed at Muslims is the result of the refugee influx caused by what critics call the ‘reckless policy’ of Chancellor Angela Merkel. More than one million migrants entered the country last year, mainly Muslims fleeing wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, after Merkel agreed to open the country’s borders. Merkel was showered with encomiums for her bold and benign gesture, but the initial euphoria soon fizzled out after a few unfortunate incidents of crime by immigrants and the terrorist attacks in Europe. The resentment among sections of the people began to coalesce into something more toxic, which now stands exposed in the form of some xenophobic and racist demands by the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
The AfD is pressing for bans on minarets and burqas at its congress in two weeks’ time, which could be part of an extensive plan to target Muslims in the country. The AfD call invited furious responses from the country’s Muslim community. A leader of German Muslims compared the party’s stand towards Muslims to that of Hitler’s Nazis towards Jews, saying it is the first time since Hitler’s Germany that a community has been targeted en masse, vilified and existentially threatened.
The tension between the right wingers and Muslims is likely to continue and even become worse in the coming weeks and months as the anti-immigrant parties and people grapple with the reality of the presence of so many immigrants on their soil. Merkel, as a determined defender of German constitution, values and liberal policies, is finding herself squeezed between two opposing forces – of those supporting tougher anti-immigrant policies and restrictions on their freedom, and secondly, immigrants who are looking up to her to protect their rights. This balancing act will not be easy. Asked about the AfD’s remarks on Islam, Merkel said that freedom of religion was a right guaranteed by the German constitution, known as the Basic Law, and any violation will be dealt with according to the law. There is no doubt that the ban of burqa will be a violation of the fundamental right of Muslim women and the call for a ban on minarets is an attempt to erase the very identity of Muslims in the country.
Will the AfD have its way? It’s difficult to say because Germany is a democratic country and the ascension to power of rightist parties can make all the difference. The rise of AfD has been alarming. The party entered three state parliaments last month by luring voters angry with Merkel’s migrant policies. If the party is able to continue its success, immigrants can look forward to a bleak future.
Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments are rising to new levels in Germany. Most of the anger and disappointment directed at Muslims is the result of the refugee influx caused by what critics call the ‘reckless policy’ of Chancellor Angela Merkel. More than one million migrants entered the country last year, mainly Muslims fleeing wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, after Merkel agreed to open the country’s borders. Merkel was showered with encomiums for her bold and benign gesture, but the initial euphoria soon fizzled out after a few unfortunate incidents of crime by immigrants and the terrorist attacks in Europe. The resentment among sections of the people began to coalesce into something more toxic, which now stands exposed in the form of some xenophobic and racist demands by the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
The AfD is pressing for bans on minarets and burqas at its congress in two weeks’ time, which could be part of an extensive plan to target Muslims in the country. The AfD call invited furious responses from the country’s Muslim community. A leader of German Muslims compared the party’s stand towards Muslims to that of Hitler’s Nazis towards Jews, saying it is the first time since Hitler’s Germany that a community has been targeted en masse, vilified and existentially threatened.
The tension between the right wingers and Muslims is likely to continue and even become worse in the coming weeks and months as the anti-immigrant parties and people grapple with the reality of the presence of so many immigrants on their soil. Merkel, as a determined defender of German constitution, values and liberal policies, is finding herself squeezed between two opposing forces – of those supporting tougher anti-immigrant policies and restrictions on their freedom, and secondly, immigrants who are looking up to her to protect their rights. This balancing act will not be easy. Asked about the AfD’s remarks on Islam, Merkel said that freedom of religion was a right guaranteed by the German constitution, known as the Basic Law, and any violation will be dealt with according to the law. There is no doubt that the ban of burqa will be a violation of the fundamental right of Muslim women and the call for a ban on minarets is an attempt to erase the very identity of Muslims in the country.
Will the AfD have its way? It’s difficult to say because Germany is a democratic country and the ascension to power of rightist parties can make all the difference. The rise of AfD has been alarming. The party entered three state parliaments last month by luring voters angry with Merkel’s migrant policies. If the party is able to continue its success, immigrants can look forward to a bleak future.
