A strong signal

In Syria and Iraq, the terrorist army of the "Islamic State" appears to be unstoppable. Its members are murdering and pillaging their way from one village to the next, torturing and humiliating the population, and forcing tens of thousands to flee. At the same time, Muslims in Germany are standing up to raise their voices against hatred and injustice. They're distancing themselves in as clear a manner as possible from the extremists propagating a regime of terror in the Middle East in the name of their religion - a regime of terror that is claiming, first and foremost, other Muslims as its victims.

Distance from extremists

With this day of action, German Muslims were also distancing themselves from the at least 400 members of their faith who have chosen to leave Germany to fight this civil war and take part in its horrific battles. They are young men and women who have become radicalized over the Internet or fallen prey to the hate preachers who espouse their views on the fringes of Germany's Muslim community. Such preachers are normally not part of the some 2,000 mosque congregations integrated into the four major Islamic associations in Germany. The majority of German Muslims who live ordinary, decent lives, cannot be held responsible for the deviant path chosen by those who blindly follow the preachers of hate and who are prepared to risk their own lives to make the violent vision of pure Islam a reality.

Despite this, it's a good thing that the Islamic associations have distanced themselves so clearly from these fanatics with this day of action. By doing so, they are bringing a rationality to the debate at a time when the mainstream German population is feeling increasingly shocked and unsettled by the terrible events in the Middle East, and when those on the far right of our society are targeting Islam and Muslims. The number of attacks against Muslims and Muslim institutions is increasing, according to reports from representatives of the Islamic associations.

Attacks against Muslims in Germany

Last August, there were five attacks on mosques in Germany, more than ever before. During their action day on Friday, Muslims were also protesting against such acts - just as much as anti-Semitism and acts of hatred against Jews. "When a synagogue is attacked, I am a Jew, when Christians are persecuted, I am a Christian, and when mosques are torched, I am a Muslim," said Secretary General of the Central Council of Muslims Aiman Mazyek this week. His are strong words that we should all make our own. Only by standing together and showing civil courage can we oppose growing intolerance, extremism, and fanaticism.

But that alone is not enough: politicians and the media also have a role to play. For example, politicians need to make sure that underprivileged, ostracized young people are offered an alternative future by granting Islamic organizations the funds they need to work with young people. Internationally, they have to do what they can to end the conflicts that are tearing the Middle East apart and dry up the swamp that is breeding terrorism. Meanwhile, the media's job is to explain, inform, and ensure that it is not contributing to estrangement and radicalization of Muslims with their choice of topics to cover, and their choice of words.