By Khaled Schmitt, IOL Germany Correspondent

BONN, February 15 (IslamOnline) – The Supreme Muslim Council in Germany called on the Muslim community to take part in all anti-war events organized by popular associations and churches.

Through its website, the council called for the Muslim presence in all activities that opposed the war and called on the Muslim community to take part heavily in the February 15 anti-war demonstrations which took place in Berlin and was organized by peace organizations.

In contrary to the stance taken by Muslims as well as both the Catholic and Protestant churches, members of the Jewish community in Germany expressed their support to the American anticipated war on Iraq. Paul Spiegel, head of the Central Jewish Council and leader of the Jewish community in Berlin Alexander Brinns condemned the increasing anti-American sentiments in the German Community.

Speaking to German newspaper Schweinfurter Nachrichten Friday, February 14, Spiegel regarded the American war as defensive and not preventive and he criticized the fact that there were no anti-Iraq demonstrations in the German street. He also slammed the German community for describing the United States as criminal.

Brinns wondered about the German street’s constant accusation of the U.S. administration as being thirsty to show its power and Muslims and to control the oil in the region as it belittles the “danger” posed by Iraq and its regime.

He added that the Germans should never forget that the United States is the country that sacrificed its own children to liberate them from the Nazis.

On Friday, February 14, ten thousand school children demonstrated in the city of Dortmund expressing their refusal for a war against Iraq and their support for the stance of the government of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in handling the Iraqi crisis.

The students held up banners slamming the Untied States and its president and during the protest head of the German parliament Wolfgang Thierse announced his participation in the demonstration.

In addition Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul, the deputy of the head of the ruling Democratic Socialist party also took part in the demonstration. Also taking part in the demonstration were Renate Künast, German minister for consumer protection and Jürgen Trittin, German’s environment minister, both announcing that they are taking part as members of the Green Party.