Islam is 'part of Germany,' says German president

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed on Saturday that Islam belongs to Germany amid growing racism and anti-Islamic approaches fuelled by propaganda of far-right groups and parties. “Islam, the Muslim religion, Muslim life, Muslim culture have taken root in our country,” Steinmeier said at the celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Islamic Cultural Centers (VIKZ) in Cologne. “Today the diversity of Islam, the diversity of over 5 million Muslims, is also part of our country,” he said. Steinmeier pointed out that freedom of religion meant also protecting the rights of all believers. His remarks came in the wake of a recent report which said racism and Islamophobia have become part of everyday life in Germany. A total of 898 anti-Muslim incidents were recorded in Germany in 2022, while the number of unreported cases remains high, according to a situation report released in June by the Berlin-based non-governmental organization, the Alliance Against Islamophobia and Muslim Hostility. A country of more than 84 million, Germany has the second-largest Muslim population in Western Europe after France. It is home to more than 5 million Muslims, according to official figures.