A file photo of German Muslims.

BERLIN, September 28, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – German Muslims are planning a series of proceedings in a number of German cities to clear stereotypes and misconceptions against Muslims, highlight merciful teachings of Islam and engage positively with non-Muslims in the European country.

Seeking to highlight the better image of Islam, a "Week for Islam" will be organized September 29 by the German Muslims in the city of Karlsruhe.

Titled "Reach Out Hand For Me", the week, which is expected to run till October 3, aims to post a better image of Islam and Muslims and to enhance mutual understanding with other sectors of the society.

The Islamic week also targets enhancing co-existence between Muslims and non-Muslims in Germany, according to the Week's Web site.

In December 2004, some 40 Muslim youths, aged 18-30, set up a kiosk in central Hamburg, distributing illustrative materials on Islam among attentive and enthusiastic passers-by.

The energetic volunteers used “Muslims Against Terror” as their mantra to reinforce the fact that Muslims have nothing to do with terrorism.

Within the same context, an Islamic week has been launched by the Muslim minority in Nurnberg to promote a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.

Launched in cooperation with the Nurnberg rehabilitation center, the "Islam Week 2005", kicked off September 20 and is to last till October 3, is bringing together a number of leading intellectuals from all over the country.

Foremost among attendees in the Islamic week is Jewish rights activist Ian Levson, who will give his perspective on misjudgment of Islam and Muslims by the Western media.

There are some 3.4 million Muslims in Germany, two thirds of whom are of Turkish origin.

Islam comes third in Germany after Protestant and Catholic Christianity.

Seeking to highlight the leading role of mosques in a Muslim's life, the Muslim minority is also planning an "Open Mosque Day" on Oct. 3, in hundreds of mosques across Germany.

Titled "Muslims… Partners for Security', the Open Mosque Day, organized by the Supreme Council of Muslims in Germany, is meant for clearing misconceptions on the role of mosques, according to the Council's Web site.

The Day has been organized on an annual basis since 1997 by the council in cooperation with other Islamic organizations in the country.

On July 18, German Interior Minister Otto Schily said that the government was considering placing all mosques under scrutiny through closed-circuit TV cameras.

Established in 1994, the Supreme Council of Muslims in Germany is an umbrella organization grouping more than 19 Muslim societies and supervising 500 mosques.

It further serves as a liaison office with German authorities at all levels.

Following the July 7 terrorist attacks in London, concerns have been high in Germany and other European countries on how to combat "Islamic radicalization".

Last Week, the Supreme Council of Muslims in Germany agreed with German security agencies to establish a working group to promote mutual confidence between German Muslims and security agencies.

German Muslims also mull allowing German security agents to hold meetings with Muslims in the mosques to explain their efforts to combat "extremism".

This came following a call by German police chief Joerg Ziercke on Muslims to share more information on so-called "potential terrorists" with security agencies in order to prevent the kind of radicalization authorities in Britain and Germany believe led to the London bombings.

A German intelligence report has revealed that only one percent of Germany’s Muslim population are members of organizations that pose serious threats to the country’s national security.