Wouldn’t it be refreshing if German Muslims, faced with abundant evidence of radical Muslim activity in Germany, declared that they were ready to cooperate with anti-terror efforts, and even to help create this database? Instead, again we see a Muslim community showing no hint of responsibility or cooperation, and concerned only that innocent people will be targeted.
Well, that would be a bad thing. But the Muslim community itself could make it a lot less likely to happen by being open and cooperative — and by drawing a clearer distinction themselves between “Islamists” and ordinary Muslims. I have often pointed out that this is an artificial distinction, but I’ve never before seen it used by a Muslim to try to obstruct anti-terror efforts.
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany said Thursday it would create a central database on suspected radical Islamists, provoking concern from the country’s large Muslim community….
But a Muslim leader, reacting to news of the database, said innocent Muslims risked falling under suspicion unless the term ‘Islamist’ was properly defined.
“When you speak about Islamism, you have to clarify what you mean by it. We are concerned that every Muslim could fall under this catch-all term, which is unacceptable,” said Nadeem Elyas, chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany.
“We’re worried that people may be caught up arbitrarily who have nothing to do with terrorism. By arbitrarily, I mean at the discretion of officials or authorities, which would be a violation of data protection rules.”