Germany’s Muslims call for tougher security at mosques

By Ayhan Simsek </p> <p>BERLIN (AA) – Germany’s Muslim community called on authorities on Tuesday to step up security around mosques in the country after recent terror attacks in New Zealand. </p> <p>Aiman Mazyek, chairman of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, told a news conference in Berlin that visible police presence around mosques would help deter potential attacks by extremists. </p> <p>&quot;This would also have a symbolic meaning,&quot; he said, adding that the Muslim community would feel that &quot;the state and society take responsibility for their security.&quot;</p> <p>Germany has witnessed growing racism and Islamophobia in recent years fueled by far-right parties, which have exploited fears over the refugee crisis and terrorism. </p> <p>Police recorded 578 hate crimes against Muslims between January and September last year. At least 40 Muslims were injured in the attacks, which were carried out mostly by far-right extremists. </p> <p>Germany, a country of over 81 million people, has the second-largest Muslim population in Western Europe after France. Among the country’s nearly 4.7 million Muslims, 3 million are of Turkish origin.