Applause, cheers and excited shouts of familial recognition filled the brisk afternoon air outside the Hauptbahnhof train station today as thousands of mostly Syrian refugees finished — what for many — will be the final leg of their perilous 2,100 mile journey to seek asylum in Germany. Expectant family members who have already found asylum in Germany crowded with reporters and craned their necks to look for arriving loved ones. Such happy sightings were announced to all with a sharp shout, followed by a strong embrace and kisses across the metal police divider. The weary refugees were then directed towards a medical tent before being put on a bus for processing, waving to family members and German onlookers through the windows. Dozens of well-meaning Germans also gathered to cheer the arriving refugees, handing out fruit, cookies, candy, and stuffed animals for the children. Several held signs welcoming the Syrians to Germany. Amid an unprecedented influx of refugees from the Middle East and Africa, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Deputy Sigmar Gabriel told German Public television that his country could surely deal with something like 500,000 refugees a year.
It is a fact that Germany has opened its arms for the refugees and earned respect for service to humanity as people in distress headed for Europe to escape civil wars and poverty in their countries. At a time when no country in Europe was ready to allow them on their soil and a vast majority travelling in over crowded boats were stuck up in Greece, Italy and Hungary, it was German Chancellor Angela Merkel who stood up to support the desperate refugees. Her humane stance on immigration should be a lesson for other European countries who are not ready to take a small share of the exhausted and hungry displaced people. Merkel wants to keep Germany and Europe open, to welcome legitimate asylum seekers in common humanity, while doing her very best to stop abuse and keep the movement to manageable proportions. Thus Germany, which is no doubt an economic power, has given an example to Europe and some Muslim countries that are reluctant to assist or provide temporary shelter to the hapless. As the most powerful leader, Mrs Merkel’s approach to Europe’s migrant crisis is remarkably realistic and humanitarian. As throngs of Africans and Arabs turn Italian and Greek islands, and eastern European railway stations, into refugee camps, and are found dead in Austrian lorries, and on shores, the Chancellor has taken a brave stand and is receiving appreciation from people across the world. She has denounced xenophobes, signalled Germany’s readiness to take more Syrian refugees and set out a European solution to a politically explosive problem. We believe that in this era, the world needs shining and courageous leaders like Angela Merkel, who cares for the suffering humanity.
pk.shafaqna.com
