Not everybody is aware that Germany is an important tourism destination. Compared to other European countries Germany is the second most visited country, with 51.4 millions of hotel stays in 2011. 54.9 percent of Germany’s visitors come for a short or long holiday trip, another 8.7 percent visit relatives and friends.

About a third (29 percent) of Germanys visitors come to know Germany and its people during a city trip, another third (26 percent) takes part of a round trip. This offers them the opportunity to find out that Germany is an open-minded and friendly country and glad to welcome its guests.

In contradiction to these well-known facts in the beginning of February 2015 the United States of America (sending about 1.7 millions of visitors to Germany per year) published a travel alert concerning Germany, warning its citizens to keep distance to demonstrations criticising Islam in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Leipzig, Cologne and Düsseldorf due to an “increased danger potential”.

Is it really possible that Germany, a country known and respected for its culture, art and plurality in a modern democracy, once again has become a place where visitors from abroad have to feel threatened?

Dr. Michel Friedman, co-founder and co-publisher of GermanyFans, shows in his editorial why he is convinced that xenophobic movements have no chance to take root in Germany – and why he still is a fan of Germany.

“Human dignity shall be inviolable”. What a wonderful humanistic statement which left its stamp on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany. This principle is the positive answer against all kinds of racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia.

Another principle of the German constitution: “All people are equal” substantiates the idea of man of this state.  Neither religion, nor color, cultural or national origin, nor sexual preferences nor political opinions may be used as a reason to discriminate against a person. Every person has the right to be respected in his individual character.

But again and again the ugly face of people who still haven´t been able to understand this, shows itself. It is the ugly face of people who don´t want to understand, that migration is a natural part of our globalised world, of people who still have not been able to understand that we should not fear diversity but rather simple-mindedness. There are some who do not want to accept that Germany does not only have to concede well-established rights, but also benefits from immigration economically too.

And yet there is nothing more fascinating to experience how different cultural approaches to solve problems offer genuine new ideas and stimulation. Naturally, there will always exist problems. But these problems cannot be solved by building walls at the borders as well as inside peoples heads, but should be turned in something positive by creating common solutions.

In Frankfurt, the city where I live, about 40 percent of the population has migrated from places outside of Germany. This is not a threat but a gain. The cosmopolitan atmosphere in Frankfurt has positive effects on the city as well as on all of the country. We all should understand that we will benefit if the next generation of new citizens of our country will feel part of our society. And it is our duty to support them with all our might and means to become a part of our society as early as possible. The fact that integration is a process which is not always successful should not make us forget that successful integration is the norm.

Modern societies are always dynamic societies. They are always forced to ask themselves the question whether stagnation in reality does not stand for regression. Modern societies are supposed to question their values. People coming from different places help us to scrutinize ourselves. Certainly this is not stressful and tiring. But if you try to elude this process you will threaten the future of your society.

What is special in a free society is, that each individual is respected in its singularity. Doing this creates a culture of democracy in the true sense of the word. This is also the spirit of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany in opposition to Nazi Germany.

Even though we are depressed and appalled when we are challenged by misanthropic groups, we still are impressed by the reaction of a major part of the populace during the past weeks and months. Also the decided declaration of the elite of this country that Germany will not accept xenophobic movements, is a good sign as well.

To be a German citizen nowadays includes a wonderful rainbow of different multicultural and multi-religious colors. As long as this will be the case I will remain a fan of Germany.

• „All people are equal“ – Germany welcomes everyone!

  Human dignitiy shall be inviolable, all people are equal!

  11.02.2015