
© Rolf Vennenbernd / DPA / AFPThe DITIB Central Mosque of the Turkish Community in Cologne's Ehrenfeld district, western Germany
Islam is not only a religion, but also a "political doctrine" seeking to penetrate all areas of society, said Alexander Gauland, the co-chair of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, adding that it is "incompatible" with democracy.
"The growing Islamization of Germany poses an urgent challenge for its public and state order; cultural identity and internal peace," Gauland
said during the press conference held less than a week before the German parliamentary elections scheduled for September 24.
The politician, who is also one of the leading candidates from his party in the forthcoming vote, added that "orthodox Islam... is incompatible" with "the principles of the modern, secular, free and democratic law-bound state."
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