A leading German Muslim official today lashed out at efforts to force the integration of Germany's 3.5 million Muslims.

Chairman of Annemarie Schimmel Forum Mohammad Aman H. Hobohm said during his opening address at the "Religion and Integration" conference in Berlin, "You can't demand integration, and it cannot be imposed by the state. The readiness for integration must come from within Muslims." He added that "the willingness of Muslims to hold a dialogue is often marred by public accusations."

Hobohm urged also Muslim leaders to focus more intensely on the issue of integration, and called on the Christian majority to play a positive role in the integration process.

The two-day Berlin conference is to focus on the incompatibility of cultural norms and values of Germans on one hand and Muslims on the other hand.

Source: IRNA, Iran, February 28, 2007