German President: "Islam now has a place in our nation"

Islam has a place in Germany now, said German President Christian Wulff yesterday on Unity Day, in a speech celebrating two decades of reunification. His comments came amid public debate over the role of immigrants. "Christianity certainly belongs in Germany," said Wulff. "Judaism certainly belongs in Germany. That is our Judeo-Christian heritage. But now, Islam also belongs in Germany." He added, "When German Muslims write to me to say that I'm their president, then I answer with all my heart, 'Of course I'm your president', " Germany has 4 million Muslims among its population of 82 million, and the issue of their integration is a contentious one. Wulff urged all sectors of society to strive for solidarity and tolerance. "We cannot allow the perpetration of myths, or the hardening of prejudices and exclusion," he said.