Two German Leaders Attend Solidarity Against Terror Muslim Community

More than 10 thousand citizens of Germany took to the streets in the city of Berlin in solidarity against terrorism and against Islamophobia, Tuesday (01/13/2015) local time. Action led by the Muslim community in Germany was also attended by President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Reporting from the BBC website on Wednesday (01/14/2015), the organizers of the solidarity action explained, the purpose of this action is to condemn terror that took place in Paris and sympathize with the victims. Therefore solidarity centered at the Brandenburg Gate, near the French embassy in Berlin. In addition, the action was also done to counter the movement of "anti-Islamisation" Pegida organization that conducted in various cities in Germany.

In his speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate, President Gauck said, "all Germans are one".

"Germany increasingly diverse because of immigration - religiously, culturally and mentally. This diversity makes this country semain successful, attractive and desirable," said Gauck.

German citizen solidarity action. Doc. BBC

While the head of the Council of Muslims in Germany, Aiman Mazyek said, this solidarity to show the world that Germany is a country that is open. "With great soul, that respects the freedom of opinion, press and religion," said Mazyek.

This solidarity action even broadcast live by one of the German television station with the headline "Germany is Charlie". This editorial refers to the slogan "Je Suis Charlie" (We are Charlie), which condemned the barbaric act that killed 12 people in an attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France.

Although led by the Muslim community, solidarity was also attended by senior leaders of various political views. Christians and Jewish leaders also participated actively in this solidarity action.

Earlier, Chancellor Angela Merkel thanked the Muslim community who are quick to condemn acts of terror. According to Merkel, Monday, Islam has become a part of Germany, and there is no place for hatred, racism, and extremism in the country.

For information, terror in France would trigger a wave of Islamophobia in Europe, including Germany. Pegida group, on Monday held a large demonstration to condemn terror in Paris. In addition, Pegida also called call "anti-Islamisation" in Germany.

But a number of political leaders in Germany considers the movement Pegida just piggyback on terror events in Paris. Therefore, during this Pegida known as the far-right groups. For information, Pegida Lutz Bachmann founded by activists in October 2014. The name is an acronym of Patriotische Pegida Europaer Gegen die Islamisierung des Abendlandes (Patriot Against Islamization of Western Europe).