After a deadly attack in Mannheim, demands for consequences are growing as knife crime is on the rise. Leonie von Randow reports an increase in the number of knife attacks, with calls for tougher penalties from NRW Interior Minister Reul and the AfD seizing the opportunity for their election campaign. CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann criticizes the government for underestimating the problem of Islamism, especially in the wake of an Afghan man killing a police officer in Mannheim. Linnemann stresses the need to stop turning a blind eye and emphasizes that the deportation of foreign violent offenders is feasible.
The tragic events in Mannheim, where a 25-year-old Afghan man stabbed a police officer, highlight the potential rise of Islamist influences in the country. Despite facing backlash for critiquing political Islam in his book titled “Political Islam does not belong in Germany,” CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann argues that the dangers posed by Islamist ideologies have long been known. Threats towards moderate critics of political Islam, such as psychologist and author Ahmad Mansour, and attacks like the one on journalist Constantin Schreiber have created a climate of fear and self-censorship. The recent attack in Mannheim, captured on film, is expected to further polarize society.
While incidents with right-wing extremist motivations receive ample media coverage, cases involving Islamist motivations often face silence or downplaying. The decision by Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to dismantle the expert group on Political Islam, created by the Union, in favor of other priorities, highlights the lack of focus on combatting Islamist extremism. The call for concrete actions to address extremism, regardless of its form, is gaining momentum. The public demands proactive measures rather than empty rhetoric from politicians in response to such acts of violence.
In the fight against extremism, whether it be right-wing, left-wing, or Islamist, decisive action is required. The government must ban Islamist organizations, criminalize demands for a caliphate, and revoke citizenship for individuals promoting the abolition of democratic values. Those who spread Islamist terror on German soil or incite hatred through sermons or online platforms must face legal consequences and deportation, regardless of potential challenges in repatriation from their home countries. Measures like Sweden’s direct deportation of offenders to Afghanistan demonstrate the feasibility of such actions.
It is imperative to shift from discussions to concrete actions, prioritizing the protection of the population over shielding violent offenders and terrorists. The call for an action plan to address Political Islam, including stringent measures to combat extremism and enforce adherence to legal norms and democratic values, is paramount. The time for excuses and inaction is over, as the public demands that security and safety take precedence over misplaced concerns for the perpetrators’ rights.
As the aftermath of the Mannheim tragedy unfolds, the focus must remain on preventing future atrocities and safeguarding the population from the threats of extremism. The legacy of this incident should serve as a catalyst for change, pushing the government to prioritize the safety and well-being of its citizens above all else. It is time to take decisive steps towards eradicating extremism and ensuring that such violent acts have no place in society.
