German Chancellor Angela Merkel Calls for National Unity - Merkel Says She Is Leader of All Germans, Regardless of Faith and Ethnicity - WSJ

BERLIN—Chancellor Angela Merkel called for national unity on Monday, saying she was the chancellor of all Germans regardless of faith and ethnicity in remarks that underlined concerns that last week’s Paris attacks could drive a wedge between Muslim Germans and the rest of society.

The attacks have added fuel to a debate about the threat of radical Islam and the willingness of certain Muslims to accept the rules of a largely secular German society. The debate has been simmering since thousands of protesters began holding weekly rallies across the country from October to denounce an alleged Islamization of Europe.

While mainstream politicians have called for increased security measures in the wake of the attacks in France, they have also expressed concerns that the shootings could fuel support for those demonstrators denouncing Islam and the Alternative for Germany, the only political party to have expressed sympathy for their views.

“Islam belongs in Germany. I share this view,” Ms. Merkel said after a meeting with her Turkish counterpart. “I am the chancellor of all Germans, this includes those who live here permanently, regardless of their origin or where they were born.”  Ms. Merkel said Germany would welcome everyone “regardless of their faith” as long as they respected German laws and had a command of the German language.

Ms. Merkel and several members of her cabinet will attend a rally on Tuesday organized by Muslim leaders to call for tolerance, freedom of expression and religious liberties. German President Joachim Gauck will address the gathering.

“There is certainly the need to promote a dialogue between different religions” to help overcome ignorance about other faiths, Ms. Merkel said, welcoming what she said was a clear message from the country’s main Muslim organizations denouncing the attacks last week.

Speaking at the same news conference, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Islam and violence didn’t go together.  Read More at “Islam belongs in Germany"
Paris Terror Attacks Fuel Tensions Over Place of Islam in Germany