Germany: Perception of Islam worsening

The perception Germans have of Muslims has worsened in recent years because of Islamist terror attacks, according to a new study.

The Center for Turkish Studies at Essen University, which authored the study, said it had no evidence, however, that Muslims were increasingly being sidelined in society due to image problems.

The sociologists for the study talked to members of the Islamic community and looked at parliamentary debates and news articles from 2000 until 2004.

Debates in parliament after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, drew connections between Islam and terrorism, rather than calling for religious tolerance.

Faruk Sen, the head of the center, said politicians should avoid putting Muslims under general suspicion by perceiving Islam as a security threat.

More than three million Muslims live in Germany, many of whom have a Turkish background.
Source: United Press (English)

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