On the same day Germany's interior minister says " Islam doesn't belong in Germany", the Portuguese president states "Islam is part of Portugal's soul" in response. This happened during the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Islamic Community of Lisbon, at the central mosque of Lisbon. The secretary general of the United Nations was there. The president of the republic of Portugal was there and awarded the Community the Freedom Order. The prime minister and other government representatives were there. The ex-presidents were there. The political party leaders were there. The Portuguese Catholic church leaders were there as well as other important community leaders from all spheres of Portuguese society. All of them were there to praise and celebrate the Portuguese Islamic Community's efforts towards progress, peace and harmony in the Portuguese society. In 50 years of muslim presence in Portugal, there has not been a single case of a terrorist attack or anything of the likes. Every Ramadan there are government representatives present on the 27th night's taraweeh. Every party leader visits the Central Mosque before announcing they're running for prime-minister. Whenever there is an important celebration, our political leaders are there with us. On our current president's investiture day celebrations' a visit to the mosque was included where he reaffirmed Portugal's freedom of religion and condemned some European countries' bans on religious symbols. There is a very close relationship between national authorities and the Muslim community and that makes a huge difference. It's not a relationship of mistrust and fear like it happens in other Western countries. Rather it's us the Portuguese people against whatever might disturb our country's peace and order. Let Europe learn from Portugal this time. This is what integration looks like. This is religious freedom done right. This is what respect, appreciation and love for the people who have welcomed you into their country looks like. Integration is not banning religious clothing or giving away benefits while marginalising people. We are not a perfect country, but us Portuguese Muslims certainly do not feel like outsiders or inappropriate in our own homeland. I can not express how proud I am to be able to say I'm a Portuguese Muslim. May Allah protect Portugal and the Portuguese People ❤️🇵🇹
