Defend Islam, German Politician: Muslims Should Be Understood Not Changed

JAKARTA - German politician Helge Lindh condemns all forms of Islamophobia in the country. He highlighted how German society tends to change the behavior of Muslims.

Lindh's opinion was conveyed in parliament. Lindh said rather than changing, isn't it better to understand and let German Muslims uphold their own beliefs.

"I apologize for the violence and humiliation experienced by Muslims," he said with applause, quoted by Yeni Safak, Tuesday, December 8.

Lindh also mentioned Germany's right-wing party, AfD, for exacerbating the situation with a variety of policies that are considered to perpetuate racism. According to him, Muslims are the ones who are most disadvantaged by this policy.

"You play a game that destroys democracy. Those who play with democracy, play with people. And this game has its victims. And Muslims must be victims of this dangerous game. Don't play with democracy. This is what the AfD is doing," he said. Lindh.

Mesut Özil: "... Islam is not part of a country, - there's no German, French or EU Islam, it's not part of a continent or a culture the Islam is simply a universal religion ..." Thank You @helgelindh for this courage to speak about islamophobia in EU! pic.twitter.com/OkrhjTaMdx

- secmo (@ secmo1) December 7, 2020

Furthermore, Lindh suggested to politicians in parliament to read the book written by Hilal Sezgin. The author, who is also the daughter of Turkish history professor Fuat Sezgin, said Lindh could help politicians to better understand Muslims.

"What is happening at the mosque? What does the death threat mean for Muslims? How do Muslims feel? Have you ever asked yourself this question? No. You are definitely not asking. But we all have to think about it," he said.

“If we tell Muslims what we expect from them, how they should behave, we will insult them and reap hatred. Let us not keep telling Muslims what modern Islam is. Try to understand what it means to find a job as a trained reclusive woman. Only then can we be more courageous in discussing Islam, "he added.

After Lindh's speech, footballer of Turkish-German descent, Mesut Özil immediately thanked Lindh on social media. "Thanks and respect to German politician Helge Lindh for daring to speak out about Islamophobia in public."