German Minister for Muslim Holidays

In Germany, some four million Muslims live, most of whom are of Turkish origin.

Many of the over one million immigrants who arrived in the country for the past two years are also Muslims.

Speaking at an election rally ahead of the elections in the northern state of the lower Saxony, De Maiziere, a member of Merkel's Christian Democrats, said it was open that in some regions of Germany, there were also Muslim public holidays.

He underlined that the day of all saints was a public festival only in the Roman Catholic regions of Germany and added, in lands where there are many Muslims, why not a Muslim public festival?

He also said Germany's public holidays were mostly Christian and would remain such.

His proposal triggered clashes with conservative colleagues, expected to begin trilateral talks on creating the new coalition with free liberal and green Democrats next week.

The conservatives won the elections in September, but registered the worst result since 1949 after losing part of the supporters who approached the extreme right.

Voice - catching exhibits of conservatives said while all in Germany are free to celebrate any religious holiday they want, but if the state should protect non - Christian holidays by law, it is another matter.

Others underlined that Germany's Christian legacy is not negotiable and that the proposal for Muslim public holidays in the country cannot be taken into account.