This article was first Published on 01/15/2015 03:15 pm at – : https://www.huffpost.com/entry/angela-merkel-can-prevent_b_6470140
In a divisive world where the leaders are sacrificing the long term safety of a nation for the short term political gains, and putting the nation on a destructive path of exclusion of those who differ, Merkel has done the right thing; choosing inclusion.
Reuter’s reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday, ‘Islam belongs to Germany,” in a clear repudiation of anti-immigration protesters gathering in Dresden and other cities. Merkel said her government was doing everything it could to ensure migrants were being successfully integrated into German society regardless of their religion.
I salute Merkel for taking the wisdom road in building a cohesive Germany, where no German has to live in apprehension or fear of the other, and instead focus on prosperity, peace and security for every German. Not only is this good for Germany but will become a model for other nations to emulate. Indeed, “Islam belongs to Germany”.
It is tempting to fall prey to the vociferous bunch who claps endlessly when a short-sighted leader talks about pushing “the other’” to the corner, and or forcing “them” in to obedience. They assume that the world is with them, but they fail to see an eternal battle of rights in the making.
Out of the chaotic conservatives, she emerges like the morning star, demonstrating what a genuine conservative patriotic leadership is all about; a nation builder.
Let me share recent parallels that shaped major events.
President Obama made a bold statement about accepting the same sex marriage – that one single courageous act changed the nation. The antagonists suddenly found themselves going along with it, and state by state the same sex marriage is becoming the law of the nation. We still got ways to go, but it was his singular stance that eliminated the apprehensions and fears of fellow Americans who are Gays, Lesbians Transgender and bisexual men and women.
For the first time in the history of mankind, a religious leader took the bold step of including Gays, Lesbians, Lesbians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and Atheists as God’s children. In one single stroke he fell many barriers between the people.
Every human wants to be included, and when that Jesus’s embrace wraps every one, the nations will become stronger, secure and will function effectively.
What Merkel has done will pave the way for positive acceptance of Muslims in Germany. Removing tensions and letting people feel welcome and become contributions towards nation building.
Here is a lesson for Netanyahu, Modi, Sharif, and other leaders who fall prey to the claps and sacrifice the long term goodness of the nation for the short term pleasures of praises. May God guide everyone to see the goodness in inclusion, aka Pluralism! Pluralism is simply an attitude of learning to respect the otherness of others and accepting the God given uniqueness of each one of us, and when we do that conflicts fade and solutions emerge.
Mike Ghouse is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.