The German government has criticised the country's biggest Islamic association for refusing to take part in a Muslim "peace march" against terrorism Saturday.
Nicht Mit Uns – or Not With Us – has been organised by Muslim activists in Cologne to make a stand against acts of terror and violence carried out in the name of Islam.
But the Turkish-Islamic Union has said it would not take part in the demonstration which it said amounted to an “assignment of guilt” which was in danger of splitting German society.
The union, known by its acronym DITIB, said Wednesday that the demonstration in Cologne would send a wrong signal by suggesting international terrorism is mainly a Muslim problem. DITIB, also criticised the organisers for scheduling the demonstration on the 22nd day of Ramadan. “Fasting Muslims cannot be expected to demonstrate for hours in the midday sun,” DITIB said.
Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Friday that the march, organised by a group calling itself "Not With Us," was a welcome sign against extremism.
Seibert said it was good for Muslims to make clear "there's no room in their ranks and mosques for hate and violence."
He added: "It's simply sad that DITIB doesn't want to participate."
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said: “It would be much better to take part” in what he called “an important initiative that clearly shows that Muslims are against terror in the name of Islam” rather than “to stay away” from it.
He added that it was “regrettable” that “not all Muslim associations supported this initiative,” apparently referring to DITIB.
German Justice Minister Heiko Maas went further and said that DITIB “isolated itself with it refusal [to participate in the rally] and should not be surprised by the fact that it provides the enemies of Islam with new proof-points [with its policy].”
