Pinar Cetin of the Turkish Muslim organization DITIB stressed the Merkel government had to acknowledge that Islamophobia was a problem in Germany and could no longer deny it.
She warned that a growing 'latent Islamophobia' was 'not in the interest of the country.'
Cetin cited the release of a recent controversial book which alleged Muslims were undermining German society, as another example of Islamophobia in Germany.
German Muslim leaders have repeatedly made clear Islamophobia had turned into a 'major challenge' for Germany.
Germany's 4.3 million Muslims have voiced growing concern over the Islamophobic wave fuelled by mostly right-wing German politicians.
'The mood in the German Muslim community is filled with fear because Islamophobia has reached the middle of German society,' according to a Berlin Muslim community leader, Faical Salhi.
'I am afraid for the safety of my wife and children. There are daily attacks against Muslims in Germany simply because one has a beard or is wearing a headscarf,' Salhi added.
End item/ 129