30 November 2006

Essen, Germany (dpa) – Germans have an increasingly negative perception of Islam, mainly as a result of terrorist activities outside the country, according to a study released Wednesday.

The survey, conducted by the Centre for Turkish Studies, showed little evidence of an across-the-board rejection of Islam or sidelining of the Muslim population.

The study was based on parliamentary protocols and media reports between 2000 and 2004 as well as conversations with representatives of Germany’s Islamic community.

Debates in the German parliament after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the US made frequent links between Islam and terrorism, while there were fewer references to religious tolerance, the study showed.

Media reports about Muslims and the dangers posed by extremism rose dramatically in the aftermath of September 11, said the centre’s director, Faruk Sen.

Sen appealed to the public to show more tolerance towards Islam and Germany’s 3.5 million Muslims.

“We don’t want politicians to regard Islam as a security problem in Germany and brand it with the stamp of terrorism,” he said.

DPA

Subject: German news

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