In an editorial published on Qantara, Bettina Marx applauds German Muslims’ action against extremism and implores German politicians to give Muslim organizations the funds they require to combat the disenfranchisement of Muslim youths and to support the Muslim community’s actions in support of a moderate Islam. Aiman Mazyek, head of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD) said, “When a synagogue is attacked, I am a Jew; when Christians are persecuted, I am a Christian; and when mosques are torched, I am a Muslim.” Mazyek’s statements illustrate the all-encompassing nature of German Muslims’ “Day of Action,” in which they not only demonstrated against extremism in Islam, but also acts of anti-Semitism and anti-Christian sentiment.
