Hamburg recognizes Islam as equal religion

ISTANBUL

A photo made available on 30 September 2012 shows a female protester holding a banner reading: 'I love (the Prophet) Muhammad' during a demonstration in Hamburg, Germany, 29 September 2012. EPA photo

The senate of the German state of Hamburg signed an "Equal Rights Agreement" with Muslim communities earlier today, daily Hürriyet reported.

Three Muslim communities and one Alevi community, which are officially recognized by the state of Hamburg, will reportedly have equal rights with other religious communities if the agreement is approved by the state Parliament.

Hamburg is the first German state to pass such a motion.