Ramadan lighting in German cities: signs of tolerance or just symbolism?

Ramadan lighting in German cities: signs of tolerance or just symbolism?

Große Bockenheimer Straße, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, Deutschland - In Germany, the Ramadan is festively illuminated this year, not without controversy. From March 1st, the cities of Frankfurt and Munich will be decorated with lights, crescent and star motifs in different languages. The Munich Muslim council has recognized the city's decision as an important sign of appreciation and tolerance. "The lighting awakens the feeling of equality, acceptance and appreciation of our religious community through society," said the council. However, this happens against the background of a tragic incident: On February 13, 2025, a 24-year-old Afghan raced into a trade union with his car, with two people died and 39 injured. The investigators suspect an Islamist motive behind the attack, which further fueled the current situation.

The city of Frankfurt, which is considered a pioneer, ceremoniously switched on the lighting on Große Bockenheimer Straße on February 26. Mayor Narges's Eskandari-Grünberg and head of the city council Hilime Arslaner said that the lights should set a sign of tolerance, especially in times of social divisions. The cost of designing Frankfurt this year is “almost 15,000 euros”, as a spokesman confirmed. In Munich, on the other hand, there are no additional costs for the lighting, since the hardware was provided in the previous year, as Nius reported.

City council decision and challenge

The city council of Munich, which voted with votes of several parties such as the SPD and the Greens for the illuminating design, wants to promote the visibility of Muslim life and set an example against anti -Muslim racism. However, local Muslims expressed concerns that these wardy actions are not sufficient to adequately address the growing discrimination in education, labor market and public life. The Muslim Council emphasizes that deeper structural changes are necessary in order to act against the increasing anti-Muslim, as the Junge Freiheit reported.