Muslim Community Not ‘Welcome’ In Czech Republic – PM

The Prime Minister of Czech Republic, Bohuslav Sobotka, has without a doubt hinted disapproval to a ‘large Muslim community’ in the country, warning that its government would not provide lodgings for it.

Speaking on Tuesday in Prague, during a courtesy visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the PM averred that the Central European country shared the thought of Germany to stem the tide of refugees from the Middle East, yet the country had different views on how to achieve such.

“We have no strong Muslim community here, and to be honest, we do not want a strong Muslim community to become established here,” Sobotka said of the estimated 10,000 to 20,000 Muslims who live in the Central European country of 10.5 million people.

Sobotka also reiterated the commitment of the country along with fellow Visegrad states, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia against the permanent refugee quota system for European countries as advocated by Merkel.

In defend of his country and fellow Visegrad states, the PM postulated that the choice should be left for the national governments to decide.

Merkel had earlier urged countries to take in a greater share of refugees.

However, Sobotka said: “I’ve been convinced since the start of the migration debate that the member states need to have sovereignty regarding the choice of the number of refugees (to welcome).”

“The bottom line is that it is national governments which must guarantee the safety of their citizens.”

Merkel will on Thursday meet with Czech President Milos Zeman, who earlier this month said he opposed taking in any migrants at all.