Muslims across Germany are holding a day of prayers and rallies on Friday to condemn Islamic extremism and a backlash against their faith that has seen arson attacks on mosques.
Imams at more than 2,000 mosques are to take part in the event organised by Germany's four main Muslim groups, with government ministers, lawmakers and city mayors set to join in.
"We must stand united as a society when there are hate crimes, whether against churches, mosques, synagogues or other places of worship," said Ali Kizilkaya, spokesman of the Coordination Council of Muslims.
Aiman Mazyek, chairman of the Central Council of Muslims, said Germany's Muslims wanted to take a clear stand against Islamic State (IS) group fighting in Iraq and Syria, and other jihadist movements.
"These are terrorists and murderers who drag Islam into the dirt and bring hatred and suffering to the people, including to their own fellow Muslims, in Syria, in Iraq and elsewhere," he wrote in the top-selling Bild newspaper.
"We want to make clear that the majority of Muslims in this country and around the world think and act differently. Islam is a peaceful religion."
The day of protest follows a rally against anti-Semitism in Berlin last Sunday in which Jewish leaders and German politicians led by Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned a recent spate of slurs and attacks against Jews.
Tempers flared at a series of pro-Palestinian demonstrations in July, during Israel's assault on Gaza, as some protesters chanted that Jews should be "gassed" and "slaughtered".
Muslims say they have also been the target of hate speech and vandalism of their houses of worship amid rising public fear of Islamist militancy, and of the role of European jihadists fighting in Syria and Iraq.
TWEET YOUR COMMENT