A "Happy Ramadan" banner lights up the streets of Frankfurt on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan (Associated Press)
The German city of Frankfurt was decorated with lights yesterday, Sunday, on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, in a precedent at the national level, according to the authorities and local media.
A large banner bearing the phrase “Ramadan Mubarak” was officially unveiled, and lights in the form of stars and lanterns were displayed at a ceremony held in the evening during which a pedestrian street in the city center, which is characterized by the presence of many restaurants and cafes, was illuminated.
This is the first time that a German city has been illuminated during the month of Ramadan, according to statements by local authorities and German media.
The Mayor of Frankfurt, Narges Alexandri Grünberg, welcomed the “wonderful” gesture of decorating the city with lights on the occasion of Ramadan, praising its role in promoting peaceful coexistence among the city’s residents.
She expressed her hope that this gesture would be a source of inspiration and hope during difficult times, stressing the importance of promoting unity and cohesion in the diverse urban community.
A "Happy Ramadan" banner lights up the streets of Frankfurt on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan (Associated Press)
More than 750,000 people live in the city of Frankfurt, the financial center of Germany, including 100,000 Muslims.
According to the Bild newspaper, Ramadan decorations were also placed on the streets of Cologne for the first time, although they were funded by private donations and not public funds.
The Frankfurt branch of the Islamic Coordination Council welcomed the initiative, and considered it a sign of recognition of cultural and religious diversity in the global city.
In turn, Robert Lambro, regional representative for the state of Hesse and leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, condemned what he described as "submission to Islam."
This initiative comes from municipal council member Omar Shehata, from the Social Democratic Party, led by Chancellor Olaf Schulz.
He explained to the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper that he was inspired to take this step by the city of London, which lit up its streets for the first time during the month of Ramadan last year.
In response to the criticism directed by the Alternative for Germany party, Shehata pointed out that many in Frankfurt are uniting against the far right and against prejudice against Muslims and discrimination against them.
Source: French