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.
I'm sure they are. The difference with Northern VA however is that it's a part of the nation's capitol region. So if hell breaks out there it won't be good and something would have to be done about it post haste. The politicians wouldn't sit still for it happening in their own back yards, dontcha know! Far too many of them live in NVA.
It is extremely noticeable around here however. But the gang problem is FAR worse at the moment.
It's not any different, who said it was different. I think here in the US we have our own degree of coddling of this ruthless vermin and we need to stop it right now!
I'm very sorry Mr. President , I just do not share these feelings.
Ping
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