It’s been a firm tradition for 25 years now. The mosque communities also invite you to the Day of German Unity.
Mosques in Germany opened their doors to visitors again this Sunday – and at the same time celebrated an anniversary. The Open Mosque Day was celebrated for the 25th time, this time under the motto “Mosques yesterday and today”.
Around a thousand mosque communities wanted to take part. Thousands of guests visited the Muslim places of worship in Berlin. The chairman of the congregation of the Sehitlik Mosque in Berlin-Neukölln, Yacup Ayar, spoke to around 1500 to 2000 visitors in his congregation alone on Sunday afternoon. They were offered tours of the mosque as well as a photo exhibition and music.
In view of the ongoing corona pandemic, he was satisfied with the response, said Ayar. Before the pandemic, however, there were around 4,000 to 5,000 visitors. The Cologne Central Mosque of the Turkish Islamic Union Ditib had also opened its doors. In other cities, there were also mosque tours, lectures, discussions or visits to exhibitions – in compliance with hygiene regulations.
25 years of tradition
At the initiative of the Central Council of Muslims (ZMD), the offer was launched in 1997 – consciously on October 3rd, the day of German unity, as a sign of belonging and solidarity. Since 2007 the Coordination Council of Muslims (KRM) has been organizing Mosque Day as an amalgamation of now six Islamic associations. Around 5.5 million Muslims live in Germany. Most of the federal states by far live in North Rhine-Westphalia.
In recent years, the number of participating mosque communities – and thus also the visitors – has decreased somewhat, said ZMD chairman Aiman Mazyek of the German press agency. Not only because of the pandemic, but also because of security concerns in the communities.
Islamophobia
In view of reservations about Islam in large parts of the population and hundreds of attacks on Muslims and mosques every year, Mazyek also spoke of regression. Many highly integrated Muslims or Muslims who were born and raised here would also have had enough of having to justify themselves repeatedly with a view to the rule of law and “being German”.
The head of the Center for Islamic Theology at the University of Münster, Mouhanad Khorchide, spoke of an important offer from the mosque communities on October 3rd. A week after the federal election, he said in response to a dpa request that he hoped a new federal government would make liberal Islamic representatives firmly anchored in Germany more partners – instead of focusing on the large associations that are heavily influenced by foreign countries.
The Christian-Islamic Society drew a positive balance on Mosque Day. CIG spokeswoman Melanie Miehl said: “Those who are not religious themselves have the opportunity to find out firsthand about the faith and life of Muslims.”
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
