Muslim ‘peace march’ against terrorism held in Germany

A Muslim “peace march” against terrorism has been held in the German city of Cologne but has drawn fewer participants than organizers had hoped for.

A Muslim “peace march” against terrorism has been held in the German city of Cologne but has drawn fewer participants than organizers had hoped for.

Demonstrators hold up a large banner reading:"Muslims and friends against terror and violence" as they take part in a so-called "Ramadan Peace March" of Muslims and friends against terrorism and violence in Cologne, western Germany, on June 17, 2017. (AFP Photo)

The dpa news agency reported that a few hundred people gathered for the demonstration on Saturday, with placards such as “Together against terror” and “Hatred makes the earth hell,” and the crowd later grew to over 1,000.

The organizers had expected several thousand protesters.

The country’s biggest Islamic association had refused to take part in the march. The Turkish-Islamic Union argued it would send the wrong signal by suggesting that international terrorism is mainly a Muslim problem. It also said Muslims observing the Ramadan fast couldn’t be expected to march for hours in summer temperatures.

That stance drew criticism from the government, which welcomed the march.