Muslims In Germany Find Their Role As New Mosque Is Built

Yesterday's Christian Science Monitor examines the attitudes of Germans as the country's largest mosque is being built in Cologne. Cologne's Muslim population of 120,000 has its roots in immigration of Turkish "guest workers" in the 1960's who then stayed. Prof. Claus Leggewie says: "Mosques demonstrate the presence and self-confidence of Muslim immigration in Europe – the attitude is now, 'We're building because we want to stay here'. " The $40 million building in Cologne is described by social activist Necla Kelek as "a political statement from Islam in concrete."