BERLIN

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Saturday that Islam belongs to Germany amid growing racism and Islamophobia fueled by propaganda of far-right groups and parties that have exploited the refugee crisis and attempted to stoke fear of immigrants.

“Islam, the Muslim religion, Muslim life, Muslim culture have taken root in our country,” Steinmeier said at the celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Islamic Cultural Centers (VIKZ) in Cologne.

“Today the diversity of Islam, the diversity of over 5 million Muslims, is also part of our country,” he said.

Steinmeier pointed out that freedom of religion meant also protecting the rights of all believers.

“Germany is an ideologically neutral state. But religious freedom does not mean that our country is free of religion. No, it means giving religions space and protecting the freedom of believers, all believers.”