THE CITY of Frankfurt, Germany lights up its celebratory lights, Sunday (10/3) local time. The lights aim to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, which, according to local media, is the first nationwide celebration in the European country.
A large sign reading “Happy Ramadan” with lights shaped like stars, lanterns and a crescent moon was unveiled during the ceremony, lighting up a downtown street lined with restaurants and cafes.
According to local officials and German media, this year was the first time a German city installed street lighting for Ramadan.
Frankfurt Mayor Nargess Eskandari-Gruenberg called the symbol a “beautiful gesture” representing “the people of Frankfurt living side by side peacefully.”
“In times of crisis and war, these lights are a sign of hope for everyone and strengthen harmony in our diverse urban society,” said Eskandari-Gruenber as reported by AFP.
The city, which is Germany’s financial center, has a population of more than 750,000 people and is home to around 100,000 Muslims.
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Frankfurt’s Ramadan lights reportedly cost at least 75,000 euros or around IDR 1.2 billion.
Apart from Frankfurt, Ramadan-themed street decorations were also displayed in Cologne for the first time. However, unlike Frankfurt, the decorations in Cologne were financed by private donations and not public funds.
The Frankfurt branch of the Coordinating Council for Muslims welcomed the street lights as a sign of appreciation and recognition of the cultural and religious diversity of this city located in the western region.
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The idea to hang the lights came from city councilor Omar Shehata, from the Social Democratic Party. Shehata told the Frankfurter Allgemeine newspaper that he was inspired by London, which last year lit up for the first time for Ramadan.
However, amidst this beautiful diversity, criticism has also emerged. Robert Lambrou, a regional lawmaker in Hesse from the far-right AfD party, condemned Ramadan decorations as “a gesture of submission to Islam”.
Sheeta also responded to the opposition’s criticism by citing the fact that Frankfurt people were united against extreme rightism.
“Many people in Frankfurt are united against right-wing extremism, anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim racism.” (Z-1)
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