(VOVworld) – German President Joachim Gauck, government and religious representatives, and the French Ambassador to Germany joined a rally at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Tuesday to condemn the Paris terror attacks and take a stand against rising Islamophobia.

Protesters in Germany marched against the "anti-Islamisation" group Pegida on Jan 12, 2015

The meeting was held in response to a call by the Central Council of Muslims in Germany (ZMD), which represents 28 different Muslim organizations, and the Turkish Community of Berlin (TGB).

Addressing about 10,000 citizens in the Paris Square, President Gauck called on all people in Germany, regardless of religions or place of origin, to jointly build an open, democratic, and multi-ethnic society.

Gauck also condemned xenophobia and hostility against immigrants in Germany and underscored the unity among religions in Germany.