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Author: Simon Jacob

Place: Munich,  Germany

Class: Text

Subject: Society, Religion, Politics

Date: 02.04.2022

Website: www.oannesjournalism.com

Reading time: ca. 5 min.

Language: English

Title: 5^th Intercultural and Interreligious Fast Breaking in Munich

 

 

 

Nihat Demir, vice chairman of the CSU - Ludwigsvorstadt - Schlachthofviertel, invited to take part in one of the first Iftar - fast breaking ceremonies during this year's Ramadan. These gatherings have become an important part of the cultural exchange, hosted by the Munich family man and policeman every year. This year, too, numerous guests from politics, society and religious institutions took part.

Simon Jacob, Middle East expert and journalist, who also took part in the fast breaking in his function as chairman of the Central Council of Oriental Christians in Germany e.V., was the host of the evening.

 

Guest speakers were:

• Georg Eisenreich, MdL, Bavarian Minister of State for Justice.
• Timothy Liston, US Consul General in Munich
• Gökcen Tamer-Uzun, educational scientist, teacher for religious education and lecturer specialised in religious pedagogy
• Anastasia Dick, founding member of the association "Erbe & Auftrag", author, member of the Greek Orthodox community in Munich
• Maximilian Feldmann, Orientalist, religious & cultural scholar

 

The spiritual prayer was led by the Munich Imam Salih Güler.

Soft oriental music was provided by the group "Necet & Zeki".

 

For the culinary delight, guests were served by the restaurant's cuisine, known for its "Köfte":

 

Given the events of the Ukraine war, the guest speakers, in particular the host of the evening, Nihat Demir, emphasized their commitment to democracy, the free constitutional order, freedom of speech and freedom of the press, freedom of religion and the indispensable will for peace. As he pointed out in his opening speech, religious diversity can only be fully and intentionally developed within a fundamental democratic order. Moreover, his choice of words stressed the need for acceptance and internalization that democracy comes first; irrespective of religious affiliation. In line with his words, the audience was filled with members of all faiths, Muslim, Christian as well as Jewish.

 

U.S. Consul Timothy Liston, who also took the floor alongside the Bavarian Minister of Justice, focused on the need for firm cohesion in the Western world. In his speech, he advocated diplomacy combined with strategic thinking in a strong partnership to create a framework for peace and security. The important support of Turkey in the Ukraine conflict, in which Ankara has taken on a leading mediating role, was also highlighted.

Bavarian Minister of Justice Georg Eisenreich urged people not to forget. Especially in the light of Germany's historical background and the fact that the country became a democracy after the Second World War, he continued, that freedom, security and peace cannot be taken for granted. Only in an environment of acceptance, mutual recognition and participation within a democratic environment can diversity be achieved, he added. Part of this diversity, he said, is an open-minded curiosity when it comes to other cultures and religions. According to the Bavarian Minister of Justice, this is what defines democracy and tolerance.

 

For the second part of the evening, religious lectures were given, expressing the significance of peace in Islam, Christianity and Judaism. They were recited by Gökcen Tamar - Uzun (Muslim), Anastasia Dick (Christian) and "Maximilian Feldmann (Jew). 

 

The individual speeches/contributions (in German only) can be accessed via the respective video links as follows:

 

Special thanks to Issam Karim and his family, who also attended, from www.einfach-machen-stuttgart.de, bringing peace to our hearts with his actions and artworks.

 

Simon Jacob,

Munich, 02 April 2022

 

Media organization and coordination:

Oannes Consulting GmbH

Copyrights & Pics:

Oannes Consulting GmbH