They are wary of, or sometimes actively opposed, to what they call “political” or “radical” Islam. By this, they typically mean groups that support Sharia law or terrorism, but sometimes, they expand that to mean all Islamic sects and all Muslims.
Sometimes pork becomes one of the symbols of the differences between Muslims from elsewhere and Germans. Germans generally eat pork. Practicing Muslims do not. The political group that I research worry that if more Muslims are allowed into Germany, then Germans won’t be allowed to eat pork, or that schools and workplaces will ban pork to accommodate practicing Muslims.
While my friend argued that Schawarma are just as much a part of German culture, it’s also a point of conflict. Food can become a symbol that people argue about. But food can also be a way to connect both families living today and families that lived generations ago.
I tried a schwarma pita from a Syrian restaurant.
Shawarma Teller: I always feel really happy eating this food. It’s delicious with lots of interesting flavors and home-made pickles (my favorite). The crowning piece of this meal is the meat. The meat is tender, and the seasoning is just right. The piece of meat has been turnng on a spike next to a heat source for a while, slowly roasting to perfection. The meat is freshly sliced off with a shawarma knife whenever someone orders a sandwich, meaning that the meat is always piping hot and slightly charred on the outside.
Not all shawarma are delicious. But this plate has the perfect balance of bread, spread and meat.
