“For a peaceful Ramadan”: This was the title under which Chancellor Scholz addressed Muslims. More than five million people of this faith live in Germany. They “of course” belonged to our country, said Scholz.
On the occasion of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for social cohesion. It is depressing that Muslims in Germany are worried about a secure future, said Scholz in a video message with the headline “For a peaceful Ramadan.” He keeps hearing about such concerns after reports about racist deportation plans by right-wing extremists that became public at the beginning of the year.
“Our answer to this must be very clear: we will not allow ourselves to be divided as a country.” Citizens with and without a migration history “of course” belong to Germany, the Chancellor continued. This also affects Muslims, Jews and Christians and “followers of other religions and world views.”
Scholz called for people not to be misled by hateful and divisive comments. “The organized hate preachers in the echo chambers of social networks are not the majority in our country,” he said. “But the millions of citizens – old and young, city dwellers and villagers, people with and without a migration history – who have not only been taking to the streets for respect and solidarity for weeks.”
demand for armistice in the Middle East
The month of fasting is a special time for contemplation and reflection, said Scholz. Breaking the fast together is “a nice gesture for peaceful coexistence and cohesion. I always felt it was something special when I had the opportunity to take part.” At the same time, during Ramadan many people think of those who experienced hardship, war and violence.
“I want you to know: you are not alone in your compassion,” said the Chancellor. “Many people in Germany also share a great deal of sympathy – in the suffering of the murdered and abducted Israelis and in the fate of the innocently killed, the wounded and those suffering in Gaza.”
In this context, Scholz called for a ceasefire in the Middle East, “ideally during Ramadan.” This would ensure that the Israeli hostages kidnapped by the terrorist militia Hamas would be released and that more humanitarian aid would arrive in Gaza.
In 2020 around 5.5 million Muslims in Germany
Today – with the first day of Ramadan – a four-week fasting period begins. The exact date depends on the appearance of the new crescent moon and can vary slightly. Fasting, like the profession of faith, daily prayers, the poor tax and the pilgrimage to Mecca, is one of the five pillars of Islam.
According to estimates, there are around 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide. Most of them live in Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. According to the Federal Statistical Office, around 5.5 million Muslims lived in Germany in 2020.
Lissy Kaufmann, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, March 10, 2024 8:45 p.m