German politician Arthur Wagner embraces Islam

By Web Desk
January 25, 2018

Member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, Arthur Wagner, recently converted to Islam shunning down the party’s years-long anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Arthur Wagner, who assumed office as a leading member of the party’s representation in Brandenburg, confirmed that he had a change of faith and has resigned from duty.

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Later, a spokesman of the party denied any news of making Wagner exit the party forcefully and revealed that it had not anticipated his conversion before Arthur announced it formally.

“The party has no problem with it,” said Daniel Friese, spokesman for the Brandenburg branch of the AfD.

He further stated that being a Muslim was not a problem for holding office as an active member of the party, although much of the party’s agendas revolved around slogans like “Islam has no place in Germany” and “Against the Islamisation of Germany.” Also, the party had been accused previously of furthering hate towards the numerous Muslim refugees that reside in Germany.

However, Freise said, “The AfD contains interest groups for Muslims, Christians and homosexuals.”

Speaking about his conversion, Arthur told a Berlin daily that: “It is a private matter.”

Arthur had worked in the past for the German government as member of Christian Democrats before joining the AfD. His case is very much similar to Arnoud van Doorn, member of the Freedom party of Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders, who was asked to step down from leadership and leave the party in 2013 after he converted to Islam.

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