German president thanks Muslims for Ramadan lockdown conduct

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised Muslims on Friday for adhering to the country’s lockdown measures during Ramadam, while also calling for an end to the hatred directed towards the religious minority.

In a message on the eve of the end of the month of fasting and reflection, Steinmeier wrote that many Muslims would have found the restrictions particularly difficult. “I would like to thank all of you who adhered to these strict rules and contributed to our first success in the fight against the virus.”

Ramadan is seen as a time when Muslims come together, rather than being kept apart, which became necessary due to the lockdown and social distancing measures.

Steinmeier also pledged determined action against religiously motivated attacks. “Hatred and exclusion, violent attacks targeting Muslims, attacks on mosques — we cannot tolerate this, we cannot allow this.”

Last year, a total of 871 attacks aimed at Muslims or their institutions took place in Germany and the president said it was everyone’s responsibility, including the state to protect Muslims.

Steinmeier recalled the incident on February 19 when a gunman motivated by right-wing and racist ideology killed nine people in two hookah bars the city of Hanau, in western Germany. All of the victims had foreign heritage, including Turkish and Bosnian.

• Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic

  Saudi Arabia: Great Mosque of Mecca, practically deserted

  It would present a major risk if vast crowds of Muslim worshippers flocked to the Kaaba at the Great Mosque of Mecca. This picture shows a handful of individuals who did come to the Great Mosque when Ramadan began –— though most of those depicted are actually cleaners.

• Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic

  Sri Lanka: Breaking the fast

  This Sri Lankan family in Malwana is breaking the fast. Sitting close together around an array of dishes, they pray, before enjoying their meal. By Europeans standards, this gathering would somewhat contravene social distancing rules.

• Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic

  Israel: Praying, at safe distance

  It is being reported that in Israel, residents are taking social distancing very seriously. These Muslim men, for example, have gathered at a parking lot near Jaffa beach to pray — the markings on the ground help them keep a safe distance.

• Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic

  Indonesia: Live streaming prayers

  Imam Bambang Suprianto from the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, is relying on the city’s mobile phone and internet infrastructure to reach worshipers. Pictured here at Sunda Kelapa mosque, Suprianto is live streaming his Quran reading via social media platforms. Wearing a mask covering his mouth and nose, meanwhile, sets a great example for others to follow.

• Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic

  US: Announcing Ramadan

  This sign outside Masjid Al-Salaam mosque in Dearborn Community Center, Michigan, reads: “Ramadan Kareem,” which roughly translates to “may Ramadan be generous to you.” The letters were put in place by staff at the center to announce the beginning of the Muslim holy month.

• Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic

  Sri Lanka: Looking skyward

  With mosque visits out of the question, worshippers can still pray in solitude. Sitting on a rug on a Colombo rooftop, in the Sri Lankan capital, this boy awaits the moment to end his daily Ramadan fast.

• Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic

  Germany: Quran by phone

  Imam Benjamin Idriz records a Quran recitation via smartphone to upload later. This photo shows him at the Penzberg Islamic Forum, a mosque inaugurated in southern Bavaria in 2005. This place of worship won an architectural prize — and even with this limited view, it’s not hard to see why.

• Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic

  Turkey: Deserted city center

  This is Istanbul’s Galata Tower in the city’s Beyoglu district. Usually the area is teeming with people, yet with Turkey also fighting the coronavirus pandemic most people are avoiding crowds. Mosques across the country have been told to stay closed, despite Ramadan.

• Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic

  Nepal: Call to prayer

  Some things don’t change, no matter the circumstances. Seen here is a muezzin in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, reciting the azan, or Islamic summons to prayer. Throughout the entire month of Ramadan, the call will be heard several times a day, as always.

• Ramadan during the coronavirus pandemic

  Singapore: Exhibition hall turned COVID-19 ward

  This Singapore convention center is normally used for exhibitions and trade shows. But with much of the world’s economic life having come to a near standstill amid the lockdown, this space has now been converted into a COVID-19 ward — complete with a special space for worshippers to pray during Ramadan.

  Author: Marko Langer

Pamphlets and video material found at the home of the 43-year-old man, who allegedly also murdered his mother before committing suicide, indicated a racist motive behind the onslaught.

Steinmeier said he had been deeply affected by the incident in Hanau, describing it as an attack on peaceful coexistence and on all the values shared by Germans, including dignity, tolerance, diversity and freedom of worship.

jsi/rt (dpa, KNA)

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