PHOTO: TWITTER
Kathrin Oertel, a harsh critic of immigrants, apologised to Muslims and immigrants in a video published on Thursday, and said that they were not the root cause of the problems in Germany and Europe.
"Those still belonging to the Pegida movement need to understand that they are advocating for the wrong cause," she said.
Pegida protesters in Germany. PHOTO: REUTERS "Asylum seekers are blamed for our problems in Europe and Germany. However, they're not the root cause of our struggle," she continued.
"I want to apologise to all migrants and to all Muslims among them who live peacefully and are assimilated with German society, who respect our culture and laws. They are in the vast majority and most Germans overlook this fact," Oertel said.
Bachmann and Oertel, leaders of Pegida. PHOTO: REUTERSOertel was initially the spokesperson and later the head of the the popular movement which openly condemned immigrants.
Last November, right-wing extremists and citizens had marched in joint weekly rallies in opposition to Muslim immigration to Germany.
Although the protests have declined in number and frequency, they still continue.
"I feel partially responsible for a campaign of hatred we caused. I want to apologise and the only thing I can do is to help resolve those tensions," Oertel said in the statement which appeared to have been spontaneously recorded in a car.
"To achieve peace, one needs to be ready for dialogue," Oertel said, adding that "that's the only way to get rid of prejudices."
The former Pegida leader ascertained that she was no longer fighting against Islam, but instead for "world peace" as she mentioned in her own words.
Pegida protesters. PHOTO: REUTERS"Someone needs to start to connect people," she said — implying that she was ready to be that person.
Earlier this year, she made remarks in interviews which attacked Muslims and other immigrants, which were in stark comparison to her more recent comments.
Speaking to CNN in January, Oertel said, "Muslims are only a tiny fraction of the population, but they're so dominant in pushing for their demands that German culture is being pushed back."
Another female protester was quoted as saying that she was shocked to see that "asylum seekers in Germany have expensive mobile phones, while I cannot afford such luxury."
Read: PEGIDA anti-Muslim riots: Is Germany flirting with its dark past?
Many former supporters of Oertel have been shocked by her new fight for world peace.
"Before criticising others, one should always take a step back and reflect on the actions of oneself," Oertel advised others in her video message.
"One has to allow an individual to evolve. Many other people will have to go through this. The creation of enemy images needs to stop," she added.
Her criticism was not only limited to her former fellow Pegida supporters, but also included the media. In her statement, she continued to condemn the mainstream media who continue to "severely criticise Muslims and their religion" and to use them as scapegoats.
Oertel declined a request by The Washington Post to explain her allegations. Ironically, during her time with Peginda, Oertel had condemned the media for not being critical enough of Islam, immigration and the rising numbers of asylum seekers in Germany.
Many took to social media to express their views on Oertel's changed views.
Amazing turnaround of opinion from former German far right Anti-Islam Pegida Movement leader http://t.co/s5VBk92woh
— Easy Religion (@ReligionofEase) May 2, 2015
@mendcommunity A ploy to get in to mainstream politics?
— ফয়সাল আহমেদ (@Faysal_FreeGaza) May 1, 2015
@mendcommunity @NafeezAhmed Why isn't mass media covering this news? @guardian @Independent @nytimes @thetimes @Telegraph ??
— Farooq Sumar (@FarooqSumar) May 1, 2015
The former head of #Germany’s anti-#Islam #Pegida movement says ‘sorry’ to Muslims http://t.co/TAwclBudqG #Islamophobia
— Shaista Aziz 💙 (@shaistaAziz) May 2, 2015
A late apology! Damage done.
— Omer El-Hamdoon (@Omer_Elhamdoon) May 2, 2015
The former head of Germany’s anti-Islam Pegida movement says ‘sorry’ to Muslims http://t.co/wTklNJnSdA
This article originally appeared on The Washington Post
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