Non-Muslims celebrate Eid al-Adha in Berlin

Selim Selim - Berlin

Communities that receive large numbers of foreign refugees every year, such as Germany, are experiencing remarkable social phenomena, in their quest to integrate expatriates with the culture of society, and to create a coexistence between the components of society of different religions and races.

One of the most remarkable phenomena in German society is the participation of non-Muslims in Muslim festivals.

Al Jazeera Net correspondent attended one of the celebrations held in the German capital Berlin, and met some non-Muslims, and asked their views on this color of religious coexistence.

Bettina Pinsel, a German, works in the Viedding district of central Berlin with a program that aims to push the region's neighbors from different beliefs to live together and create a positive interaction space between them.

Even though Christian is a Christian, she participates in the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. Participation is an important interaction for her to get to know them more closely, which will add a new experience and culture to her.

"I enjoy this participation," said the German activist. "It is very important for Berlin and me that people live together from different backgrounds. This makes life more beautiful and safer in the city."

"Such participation increases knowledge and cultural exchange among them, and it is nice to be invited to such celebrations. Although I do not participate in all occasions, I participated in this ceremony, I also participated in the celebration of Ramadan, and I also have Muslim and Jewish friends, I invite my friends from other religions to participate in Christian celebrations. This is an opportunity to meet and get to know each other. ”

As for the negative image of Islam, the expert of integration considers it dangerous. Muslims are like Christians, as are others. There are good and bad people. We cannot say that Muslims are not good or dangerous.

Forgive everyone

Henny Louloui, who comes from Cameroon and has been living in Berlin for seven years, says she is present at the party because she has been working for a program of the co-existence company for more than four years run by a Muslim, a Christian.

In Berlin, Muslims live with other sects together, and this makes Lloye as she says in her talk to Al Jazeera Net shared with them the celebration of Eid al-Adha with pleasure. She noted the need to always show tolerance and attention to other cultures living with each other.

The Berlin-based Cameroonians have learned many Muslims and used to live with them even before they came to Germany. Since their childhood, they have learned to respect and accept others. Even the owner of the favorite restaurant she frequented in Cameroon was a Muslim, so she had no problem living with Muslims when she came to Germany. .

A multicultural society

While the German activist Stefanie Traghe explained to some of the participants in the Eid al-Adha ceremony one of the games aimed at the ceremony, she explained that the game includes several topics the contestant moves the circle to prove the indicator on one of them, such as racism, asylum and immigration, and then ask them questions to arouse their curiosity for more talk about.

She also points out that she has Muslim friends and believes that many Germans do not understand what Eid al-Adha means.

Taragh says she celebrated Ramadan after being invited by a Muslim family, and it was a positive experience for her.There are also many regular meetings where Turkish Muslim women meet on religious occasions.Muslims also participate in the city's Christmas celebrations.

Although she does not believe in any religious belief, she believes in a multicultural, tolerant and positive society.