Commenting on the Alternative for Germany party's concerns about 'unconstitutional elements' in Islamic law, Merkel admitted that such fears are really in place, but that German citizens should address these challenges by supporting Christian traditions in their lives.
"I'm quite serious. Otherwise, we will lose a piece of our Motherland," Merkel said in response to those who quipped at her call to perform Christmas songs to a flute accompaniment.
In an interview with Sputnik's German edition, Beatrix von Storch, Member of European Parliament and deputy head of the right-wing party Alternative for Germany, remained downbeat about Merkel's piece of advice.
"Yes, I think it's a great idea, it's great when people sing Christmas songs, and I also do it. But thinking that you can stop the Islamization of Germany by playing the flute is too much," she said.
"This advice comes from the representative of the party which has the letter C in its name which means Christian (Christlich), rather than Vitamin C. And this advice sounds helpless and hopeless," Beatrix von Storch added.
According to her, Merkel's play-the-flute statement once again indicates that the German Chancellor remains in hot water as far as her political future is concerned.
Meanwhile, CDU members are pushing Merkel to run for a fourth term ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for September next year, N-TV quoted CDU General Secretary Peter Tauber as saying.
A poll published by the German newspaper Bild earlier this year found that more than 46 percent of Germans are concerned about the country's perceived "Islamization."
The survey also found that 60 percent of the respondents claimed they did not perceive Islam as part of Germany's cultural identity, while 22 percent said it was.
