...the largest city in North Rhine-Westphalia and the fourth populated city in Germany....police have denied that brief detentions of Ramadan revelers at the city's rail hub amounted to 'racial profiling.' Germany's Central Council of Moslems says officers need coaching in cultural sensitivity.
"FOAD"
Calls of "Allahu Akbar" ["God is great"] by young Moslems wearing long gowns and vests outside Cologne's main rail station culminated on Wednesday in counter-accusations between city police and the Central Council of Moslems in Germany (ZMD).
Police chief Uwe Jacob denied that his officers were motivated by racism in detaining 10 young Moslem men aged between 18 and 28 inside the station on Tuesday during a one-hour intervention.
Searches done resulted in a one-handed knife being found and infringement proceedings against one person, according to multiple reports.
'APOLOGIES NEEDED'
ZMD chairman Aiman Mazyek said the men were on their way to celebrations to mark the completion of the Moslem fasting month of Ramadan when faced by a "massive" operation by police.
"We condemn the actions of the Cologne police and expect that coppers will be better culturally trained and sensitized and not react in great nervousness to any intended hint from the public about the alleged 'suspicious' behavior of people of other appearances," said Mazyek, adding that apologies were needed.
In Cologne, a city known for its diversity, police should have a minimum of knowledge about "religion-specific things like holidays and tradition," he added.
The station periphery was the scene of sexual assaults on women as Germany entered New Year in 2016 after dealing with mass "Balkan route" migrant arrivals - an incident that prompted closer policing on the plaza also adjacent to the city's famous cathedral.