Demonstrations against Islam that have attracted thousands to the streets of Dresden in east Germany are set to continue in the New Year, with organisers announcing plans for a protest on 5 January.
Although authorities have said there is nothing they can do to prevent further protests, a spokesman for Germany’s interior ministry said it would be keeping a close eye on the demonstrations, which have attracted increasing numbers of people since they began in October.
More than 17,500 people took part in the demonstration organised by the Patriotic Europeans Against Islamisation of the West, or Pegida, in Dresden on Monday – a rise on the 15,000 who were involved in a protest a week before. Much smaller groups have also rallied in Bonn, Kassel and Würzburg. The protesters have been dubbed the “pinstripe Nazis”.
“What’s problematic about Pegida is that the organisers often have contact with extreme rightwing parties and organisations,” an interior ministry spokesman said. He added that xenophobic statements were being fought by “impressive” counter-demonstrations taking place across Germany, showing how “tolerant and cosmopolitan” Germany is.
The rapid growth of Pegida has surprised some. Angelika Hoffmann, who lives in Neukölln, one of Berlin’s most diverse neighbourhoods, said she thought concerns about the Islamisation of Germany were ridiculous.
“I’ve never had any negative experiences with the people who live here, whether they’re Turkish or come from somewhere else,” said the 62-year-old. “But I am worried about the increase of rightwing movements here and across Europe.”
It was an opinion echoed by 70-year-old Peter Muhlhäuser, a pensioner also living in Neukölln. “Are there so many Muslims here? I have no problem. I’ve lived here for 20 years and I’m nice to my neighbours and they’re nice to me.”
Meanwhile, some politicians have called for Christians and Muslims to show solidarity for each other – through song.
“It would be a great sign of peace between the religions, if an Islamic song was sung in a church and a Christmas song in a mosque,” Green party politician Omid Nouripour told German daily newspaper Bild.
Eva Högl, deputy parliamentary leader of the Social Democratic party, said that while she found the demonstrations a “disgrace”, they had to be taken seriously.
“We have to think critically about why so many people are demonstrating,” she said. “I expect all leading politicians to engage in a discussion about this.”