We must learn to love those with a different colour, creed or culture

Although Germany is leading the European reaction to the refugee tragedy by welcoming hundreds of thousands to its cities; the reaction of the rest of the world, most especially the United States, has been one of offering advice and criticism from afar. 

However, the failure of EU ministers to reach a binding agreement about refugee quotas seems to have finally prompted President Obama to make a show of solidarity with his beleaguered European colleagues when he told the king of Spain that he “discussed the fact that the United States feels it is important for us to also take our share of Syrian refugees as part of this overall humanitarian effort” (Irish Examiner, 16 September 16).

It is clear Germany’s generous response has not been matched by the rest of the continent as Thomas de Maiziere the Minister of the Interior pointed out when he explained why the border was shut: “Germany stands by its humanitarian responsibilities. But with the huge number of refugees, the burden must be shared with more solidarity.”