German President Pledges Solidarity Against Anti-Muslim Violence

News: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised and appreciated Muslims for maintaining social distancing even during the holy month, and expressed his alarm at the “hatred and exclusion” directed towards Muslims.

Here are five components of the story:

• Ramadan is a time for Muslims to come together, as a community. However, due to the pandemic, social distancing rules have prohibited them from their regular holy practices.
• In a message on the eve of the end of the month of fasting and reflection, Steinmeier wrote, “I would like to thank all of you who adhered to these strict rules and contributed to our first success in the fight against the virus.”
• “Hatred and exclusion, violent attacks targeting Muslims, attacks on mosques — we cannot tolerate this, we cannot allow this.” With this, he pledged solidarity with Muslims of the country against the numerous hate-based acts of violence that have happened in the country.
• In 2019, there were a total of 871 attacks against Muslims or their institutions in Germany. In February 2020, a shooting motivated by racist and right-wing ideology took place in Hanau, Germany. Nine persons were killed.
• Steinmeier described this as an attack on peaceful coexistence and on all the values shared by Germans, including dignity, tolerance, diversity and freedom of worship.