STORY: It is the first Friday prayer in the central mosque in Cologne after the disaster in the border region between Turkey and Syria. According to official figures, the number of dead on Friday already exceeded 22,000. tendency further increasing. And the catastrophe is of course also an issue at Friday prayers in Cologne: Mustafa Kader, Imam: “We as a community naturally have very, very, very many parishioners whose relatives have died and unfortunately always have to sleep outside in the freezing cold. And that’s why it is It is a personal concern of many parishioners that we also preach this sermon today and that we can take this step together and also help the people there. And that is why it is of course also a matter close to my heart to support my parish in this sense.” The community members in Cologne are also shocked by the situation in the earthquake area: “It’s not easy with so many deaths, with so many losses that we have. You can’t really describe it. Especially since I also took part in this big earthquake in 1999 in the Turkey. It’s sad. That’s the way it is. You can’t influence that.” “You’re totally emotional. I have friends myself, acquaintances there, you can’t reach them. This uncertainty about what’s going to happen to them? How are they? Are you doing well? Live. So you kind of look for signs of life . You’re on the phone all the time on WhatsApp. At the moment it’s even better. Can you reach people too.” Rescue workers and helpers, including specialists from dozens of countries, worked around the clock to race against time to find possible survivors in the mountains of rubble. According to the United Nations, a total of 24.4 million people are affected by the disaster, which extends over an area about 450 kilometers wide. Countless people have to endure the freezing temperatures outdoors or in temporary tent camps because they have become homeless or their houses are in danger of collapsing. In many places there is a lack of food, drinking water and functioning toilets.