Germany urges Muslims to learn language and mix

That is the message for immigrants, and particularly Muslims, resonating across the political spectrum in Germany -- much to their discontent.

The murder of an outspoken filmmaker and the discovery of a suspected radical Muslim cell in the Netherlands this month has sparked a debate in neighbouring Germany about the position of immigrants in society.

Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has urged Muslims to learn German and recognise the country's laws and democratic principles. Other Social Democrats have expressed concern over "parallel societies".

The leader of the conservative opposition, Angela Merkel, and former Social Democrat Chancellor Helmut Schmidt have declared that the "multi-cultural" society has failed.

Another leading politician of the opposition Christian Democrat Union has accused some foreigners of forming ghettos out of disdain for Germans.

The outbursts have alarmed Muslim groups, who complain their lifestyles are under fire due to a crime committed elsewhere.

They also argue their own efforts are being overlooked, such as last Sunday's anti-terror demonstration that drew over 20,000 mainly Muslim protesters in the city of Cologne.

"It's sad how this discussion has gone. It disregards the many Muslims who have integrated extensively," said Ali Kızılkaya, chairman of Germany's Islamic Council. "Integration also cannot be ordered from above. It's not a one-way street."

"If there is a parallel society, it may be because people who earn less tend to live together. You can't say they live in these places out of choice," he added.

Mehmet Yıldırım, general secretary of a Turkish Muslim group, argued that Germany could have made greater efforts when Turkish workers began arriving four decades ago. "People should look at things in an objective and informed way and then speak."

FOREIGN "GUESTS"

Germany has had a long-running debate about whether it is a country open to immigrants, although it already has over seven million foreigners in its population of 82.5 million.

It admits newcomers each year, mostly Russians of German ancestry and asylum seekers, and will next year reopen its doors to economic migrants after three decades.

Most of Germany's three million Muslims are of Turkish origin, the first generation of whom came under a post-war programme to attract "guest workers" which ended in the 1970s.

The term "guest worker" has faded from use, and is now deemed politically incorrect, partly because many have stayed. But only 600,000 of the 2.6 million people of Turkish origin in Germany have become citizens.

This is partly because Germany only adopted a law four years ago allowing people born to foreign parents to become citizens.

A study released on Monday showed that the descendents of "guest-workers" were less integrated and had a more pessimistic outlook than immigrants of German ancestry.

Critics argue that this latter group has been more able to integrate because of better opportunities, such as German courses, and a widespread acceptance that they are Germans.

Turkish groups also complain that Germany has prevented Turks, unlike many other nationalities, from holding dual citizenship, forcing them to choose between countries.

While national teams in Britain, France or the Netherlands, boast players from different backgrounds, German squads are dominated by traditional German names. German-based players of Turkish origin have typically opted to play for Turkey.

"Muslims are part of this society, but are often considered as outsiders. We need a culture of acceptance," said Kızılkaya.

"Other countries have handled things better. We're in a slow process from guests to inhabitants."

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