Facing far-right challenge, minister says Islam 'doesn't belong' to Germany

A woman wears an Islamic headdress while visiting Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany August 16, 2016. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle

BERLIN (Reuters) - New Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said Islam does not belong to Germany, and set out hardline immigration policies in his first major interview since being sworn in this week, as he sought to see off rising far-right challengers.

His comments put him on a collision course with Chancellor Angela Merkel, who on Friday reiterated her long-held view that Islam was a part of Germany, even if the country was traditionally characterised by Christianity and Judaism.