Thread: Merkel: Germany should not change food culture for Muslim migrants

Merkel: Germany should not change food culture for Muslim migrants

Europe 09.07.2016 By our dpa-correspondent and Europe Online

Berlin (dpa) - Germany should not feel pressured to change its meat-heavy food culture to accommodate the preferences of migrants, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her weekly video podcast on Saturday.

"We have to make sure that the diversity of our offerings, as we are accustomed to them, continues to be maintained," Merkel said.

Society can respect if someone has certain customs or rules, she said. "On the other hand that should not lead to restrictions for those who have other rules," she said.

Merkel was asked in the podcast to comment on suggestions that German school canteens should stop offering meals with pork out of respect for Muslims, for whom the eating of pork and pig products is forbidden under religious law.

"Tolerance also means that we do not now need to change our eating habits," Merkel said, adding that it was completely appropriate that it should be indicated where pork and pig products were used.

Merkel also praised moves to increase the integration of migrants into German society, stressing during the podcast that integration including the expectation that "they learn the German language and abide by our laws."

Merkel: Germany should not change food culture for Muslim migrants ...

Merkel also praised moves to increase the integration of migrants into German society, stressing during the podcast that integration including the expectation that "they learn the German language and abide by our laws.

Good Luck with That!