German Muslim groups condemn Islamophobic book of top German banker

Berlin, Aug 31, IRNA -- German Muslim groups strongly condemned release of an Islamophobic book by German central banker Thilo Sarrazin, saying it was 'a declaration of war on democracy and freedom.'

Addressing a news conference in Berlin on Monday, the Secretary General of the Central Council of Muslims Aiman Mazyek said Sarrazin's statements were 'not only a declaration of war against Muslims but also a declaration of war against democracy
and freedom.'

Mazyek branded Sarrazin's comments 'irresponsible, dangerous and wrong,' saying he was a 'Nazi in a suit.' He added the banker's remarks were part of his strategy to fan 'the fear of
Islam.'

Mazyek's views were underscored by Burhan Kesici, general secretary of the German Islam Coucil who said Sarrazin's comments would further boost Islamophobia.

'We have so far only heard this sort of thing from the far-right. Never from the political center, and never from the SPD (Social Democratic Party),' Kesici said, referring to Sarrazin's membership in the SPD.

He added Muslims were already feeling a higher degree of racism and
Islamophobia in German society.

Kesici emphasized the scandal over Sarrazin's Islamophobic stance had also 'damaged Germany's image abroad.'

Meanwhile, Pinar Cetin of the Turkish Muslim group DITIB warned Sarrazin's remarks were 'divisive and would only further provoke more hostility.'

In other related news, the head of Germany's Central Council of Muslims, Ayyub Axel Koehler, labeled Sarrazin as 'the embodiment of the ugly German.'

Talking to the German Press Agency DPA, he said, 'Islamophobia in Germany now has a name: Thilo Sarrazin. He has caused serious and lasting damage to the reputation of our country with his racist and contemptuous comments.'

Sarrazin's book 'Germany Abolishes Itself: How We Are Risking The Future of Our Nation which alleges that Muslims are a danger to German society, has triggered furious public protests over the past days./end