Posted on 11/05/2005 1:30:03 PM PST by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
BERLIN, November 4, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) German President Horst Koehler on Thursday, November 4, together with bishops of different denominations wished the Muslim minority in the country a happy `Eid Al-Fitr, calling them part and parcel of society.
Impressed by the show of Muslim unity on the first day of `Eid, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, Koehler urged the German people to enhance coexistence between one another irrespective of their race and religion.
Bishops of the country's different Churches were also keen on offering their traditional congratulations.
The Catholic Church said in a statement that Muslims and Christians in Germany should act in unison to face up to the challenges ahead for the welfare of their homeland.
Several mosques across the country further received congratulator cables and `Eid greetings from churches.
Officials in some states also held the traditional annual reception for representatives of the Muslim minority.
There are some 3.4 million Muslims in Germany, two thirds of whom are of Turkish origin.
Islam comes third in Germany after Protestant and Catholic Christianity.
`Eid of Cookies
German Muslims marked this year `Eid on Thursday with prayers, traditional family visits and a small firework display.
In the Northern Rhein, which has 650,000 Muslims, Muslim children are luckier as they get an official `Eid holiday from their schools unlike their peers in other states.
The WDR television covered the Muslim joy after `Eid prayers, highlighting the traditional sweet and gift giving, dubbing the Muslim occasion as the "`Eid of Cookies."
"We are used to marking `Eid with Kahk (cookies) and family visits as if we are home," Pakistani Bani Khan told the broadcaster.
The Islamic Center in Munich further held its `Eid party which brought together German Muslims of some 50 races.
The center translated the `Eid sermon in four languages: German, Arabic, Turkish and English.
Seeking to highlight the better image of Islam, a "Week for Islam" was organized in September by the German Muslims in the city of Karlsruhe.
Titled "Reach Out Hand For Me", the week, which ran from September 29 till October 3, further sought to enhance mutual understanding with other sectors of German society.
In December of last year, some 40 Muslim youths, aged 18-30, set up a kiosk in central Hamburg, distributing illustrative materials on Islam among attentive and enthusiastic passers-by.
Koehler called for enhancing
coexistence between the German
people irrespective of their race
and religion.
The muslims coexist peacefully with no one.
I prefer "Happy MOAB" myself!
Translation: "Please don't start rioting!"
When is the last time a MUSLIM leader wished us Happy Christmas, can anyone recall ?
Germany seems to go back to their fiendship with the MUFTIES, worrying.
Happy Eid!
Germany is biting their fingernails right now. Who's in charge there these days, anyway?
I guess the friendship is due to the Germans and Arab Muslims sharing the same enemy..... The Joooos.
This "friendship" will last only so long as it takes the copulating and populating Muslims in Germany to become a strong enough "minority" to gain control....
Like a virus - they must be "treated"....
Semper Fi
pussies lols
Ok, happy Eid. Next they will ban Christmas because Muslims find it "offensive."
This will not be viewed as a nice jesture. It will be viewed as an act of dhiminiutde by the Germans.
Koehler urged the German people to enhance coexistence between one another irrespective of their race and religion.
Right! It's the German people that need to "enhance coexistence" between one another irrespective of their religion.
See, that's the problem in France, the French haven't "enhanced coexistence" enough. /sarcasm
And why is there no mention that these muslim populaces don't want any interference as they want to enforce their own laws even within heavily muslim areas.
Are people around the world really this stupid, or is denial that strong? Honestly. It's global Hitler all over again.
Europe used to be worth traveling to. I'm not so sure now. Seems like the whole damn place is 20% muslim. I don't like to go anywhere that's 5% muslim.
Wherever they are there is strife and death. A great freeper once said, "The muslims coexist peascefully with no one."
Hmmm. After Germany is under Sharia law, wanna bet the Muslims will return the favor? You believe that, I've got some nice oceanfront property in Arizona I'd like to sell you...
There's nothing happy about being a muslim.
What's the current percentage or global conflict that doesn't involve Islam as it's root source of strife?
Hmm...and how is that different from President Bush's sending eid greetings?
From http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2005&m=November&x=20051104140335ndyblehs0.1356623&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html
Bush Sends Eid al-Fitr Greetings to the World's Muslims
Eid al-Fitr holiday marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan
President Bush sent greetings to Muslims around the world November 4 on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the festival that ends the holy month of Ramadan.
In a White House press statement, the president welcomed the generous contributions of American Muslims to relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
Following is the text of the press statement:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Mar del Plata, Argentina)
November 4, 2005
I send warm greetings to American Muslims and Muslims around the world observing Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a time of prayer, reflection, and fasting. It is the holiest month of the Muslim year. To celebrate this holiday, many Muslims gather in their homes and mosques to thank God for His blessings and His help in keeping the fast. Muslims also demonstrate their compassion by reaching out to the less fortunate and giving gifts of money or food to help those in need. This year, many American Muslims have reached out to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma and to those affected by the devastating earthquake in South Asia. Their contributions have been generous and reflect the important values shared by all Americans.
Our Nation is blessed to count many Muslims among our fellow citizens. As Americans, we share a commitment to family, a belief in God's justice and man's moral responsibility, and hope for a future of peace and tolerance.
Laura and I send our best wishes for a joyful celebration. Eid Mubarak.
GEORGE W. BUSH
You'd better stay out of certain portions of America too: Lewiston, Maine; Dearborn, Michigan; Northern Virginia, OKC, etc.
I once read that some "M-groups" are making a concerted and coordinated effort to relocate their populations to the key voting states. I think it was on a site that listed the estimated M-population by U.S. state.
"It is easy to grin
When your ship comes in
And you've got the stock market beat.
"But the man who is worthwile
Is the man who can smile
When his shorts are too tight in the seat."
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