Pakistani-Germans Concerned by British Terror Links

Recent events in London when authorities reportedly foiled bomb attacks on trans-Atlantic airliners, have stunned many in Europe, not just for the brutality of the planned plot but also the fact that most of the arrested suspects are British citizens of Pakistani origin.

In July 2005, the suicide bombers on the London transport system, who claimed some 52 lives were also men with Pakistani roots.

As Britain agonizes over the seemingly persistent problem of home-grown terrorism, the incidents have caused anguish within the Pakistani community in Britain and elsewhere in Europe. Many are beginning to feel their country and people are being cast in a negative light.

"The finger of blame"

That concern is echoed in Germany, home to more than 30,000 Pakistanis and where one in five has been here for more than 15 years.

Mohammed Kasim, a Pakistani who has lived in Germany for 20 years and is married to a German woman, said he's saddened by what has happened.

"No matter what happens, the finger of blame is always pointed at Pakistan," Kasim said, after praying at a mosque in Cologne along with some 40 Muslim men, including Turks, Arabs and Pakistanis.

"I think a dialogue between the people needs to take place, a dialogue where each side takes into account the religion of the other," said Kasim, who spends his free time working in different social and Pakistani cultural projects, said. "And the United States needs to adopt a more balanced foreign policy. Only then can we have peace in the world."

Different policy needed

That view was echoed by Imran Siddiq, who has lived in Germany for 10 years and now has German citizenship.

"We just have to take away the terrorists' excuse that Islam is unfairly treated. We need to introduce a different policy, especially American policy," Siddiq said.

Siddiq, who runs a kiosk, also said that the US needs to change its stance if the problem is to be tackled.

"The Americans play a huge role. As long as there is this American stubbornness, the terrorists will always have the excuse, that Islam and Muslims are being dealt with unjustly."

He said that the latest terrorist scare is not likely to have any immediate impact on his life in Germany. "People are concerned of course, I myself am worried. But I think people here know how to differentiate," he said. "If they know you they will not suddenly assume that you are an Islamist terrorist."

Need for better integration

Daniela Beg is from a Pakistani-German family. But although she grew up here, the young woman feels more Pakistani than German.

Beg is a psychologist, but because of her affinity to Pakistan, she recently opened a Pakistani shop selling drapes in downtown Cologne. She is also involved in German-Pakistani cultural projects and wants to promote a positive image of Pakistan.

Beg said that part of the reason people of Pakistani origin seem to be involved with terrorism lies in cultural integration. "I think the escalation between Western cultures and Islam is definitely a power play," she said. "There are people on the fringe of Western society who find it hard to integrate. That's when they open themselves up to fundamentalist ideas," she added.

"I think lots needs to be done within society to encourage integration."