Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world but a mix of biased media coverage and a bad impression of Muslims due to terrorists has also put Muslims and Islam under public crossfire in many Western countries. Islamophobia has become a reality in modern Western countries, so its nothing short of surprising when we hear of a virulently anti-Muslim person doing the opposite in these times.
This seems to have happened in Germany recently. The AfD, an extremely right wing political party which is renowned for its anti-Islam stance and anti-immigrant slogans and manifesto, was shaken up recently at the doings of one of its most prominent members.
A leading member of the party has embraced Islam, a development that has left the extremist far right-wing party confused.
ALSO READ
Council of Islamic Ideology Discusses Religious Significance of ‘Black Friday’ in Pakistan
Alternative for Germany
Arthur Wagner from AfD just announced that he has embraced Islam and has already stepped down from his position in the party.
The notorious party emerged in the last German elections in September and became the third largest party in the country.
The political right-wing anti-immigrant party became famous for its extreme and inhumane remarks and its stance against the refugees. The same party demanded that the German border patrol should shoot refugees on sight and has moved to ban mosque constructions multiple times.
AfD’s slogan “Islam doesn’t belong in Germany” represents everything about its politics in a nutshell, and also about what the party’s stance is on Islam and immigrants.
Arthur Wagner’s conversion to Islam is surprising to many as the political leader has made his anti-Muslim remarks known many times without any hesitation. The newly-converted Muslim has stated multiple times that Germany is going downhill because it’s allowing Muslims in the country.
ALSO READ
Here’s How Technology & Social Media Helped Hajj Pilgrims this Year
Wagner hasn’t commented on why he accepted Islam as his religion yet, choosing to keep it as a private matter. However, according to German media, his increased interaction with Muslims changed his negative views about Islam and Muslims.
Arthur’s decision also caught AfD by surprise however the party commented by saying;
Religion is a private issue. We believe in religious freedom as stated in the Constitution.
This scribe isn’t sure what exactly do they mean by that, especially considering the hateful comments they have passed about Muslims and Islam in general in the very recent past.
