INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES 8 SEPTEMBER 2014 - GERMANY CONDEMNS 'SHARIA POLICE' PATROLLING STREETS OF WUPPERTAL CITY

German politicians have reacted strongly to reports of young Salafists conducting nightly "Sharia police" patrols in the city of Wuppertal, ordering people to stop various activities. The men have been photographed wearing orange hi-visibility jackets emblazoned with the words "Shariah police" on the back. The men reportedly approached passers-by near nightclubs and gambling houses to deter them from un-islamic activities such as drinking alcohol and gambling. Ministers in Angela Merkel's coalition have denounced the youths' actions and said that Germany would not tolerate such Sharia activity. Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said that the civilians could not patrol the streets instead of German police. "Sharia law is not tolerated on German soil," de Maiziere told the German daily Bild. "Nobody can take it upon themselves to abuse the good name of the German police," he added. Christian Democrat party whip Volker Kauder said that such patrols would never be allowed in the country. "Under absolutely no circumstances can we tolerate self-styled Sharia police officers patrolling our streets and dictating what people should or should not do," Kauder said. The Mayor of Wuppertal and the central council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD) both criticised the actions of the patrol. "These people's intention is to provoke and intimidate and force their ideology [upon others]," Mayor Peter Jung said. Chairman of the ZMD, Ayman A Mazyek, said: "These few teen yobs do not speak in our name. These people are perverting the name of our religion. With this shrill and foolish action, they are really hurting Muslims." LINK:http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/germany-condemns-sharia-police-patrolling-streets-wuppertal-city-1464477