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Berlin memorial service unites faiths against hate after CSD attack
🇩🇪 Germany /Conflict & Security

Berlin memorial service unites faiths against hate after CSD attack

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A memorial service was held at Berlin's Marienkirche to commemorate victims of an attack at a Christopher Street Day event.
  • Religious leaders, including an evangelical bishop and a Muslim imam, emphasized messages of love, tolerance, and divine acceptance of all people.
  • Attendees, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz, lit candles and expressed solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community, vowing to protect societal freedom and tolerance.

Rainbow flags adorned the altar of Berlin's Marienkirche as an organ played, marking a solemn commemoration for victims of an attack at a Christopher Street Day event. The service brought together Chancellor Friedrich Merz and several ministers, aiming to send a powerful message against hate.

As a Muslim, I want to recall a verse from the Quran which is among the most important ethical principles of Islam: Whoever kills a person is as if he had killed all of mankind. And whoever saves a life is as if he had saved all of mankind.

— Imam Seyran AtesThe Imam quoted the Quran to emphasize the sanctity of life and shared values during the memorial service.

Imam Seyran Ates, a Muslim leader, reminded attendees of a core Islamic principle: "Whoever kills a person is as if he had killed all of mankind. And whoever saves a life is as if he had saved all of mankind." She stressed that God values individuals regardless of their religion, origin, or sexual orientation, echoing Germany's Basic Law that human dignity is inviolable.

"Whoever preaches hate in the name of God and persecutes people because they love whom they love, whoever commits violence against queer people, acts against the spirit of this verse," Ates declared, condemning the misuse of faith for hateful ideologies. "Love is halal, it is permitted."

For God, it is not important what religion, origin, or sexual orientation someone has. Every person is a creature of God.

— Imam Seyran AtesThe Imam highlighted the principle of universal divine acceptance, regardless of identity.

Evangelical Bishop Christian Stäblein offered words of comfort, stating, "The heart of this city is freedom." He urged unity, stating, "There is no 'the queers' and 'the others.'" He reminded the congregation that God gave them a spirit of love and prudence, not fear, and encouraged them to stay together.

Whoever preaches hate in the name of God and persecutes people because they love whom they love, whoever commits violence against queer people, acts against the spirit of this verse. He misuses faith for an ideology of hate. Love is halal, it is permitted.

— Imam Seyran AtesThe Imam condemned hate speech and violence against the LGBTQ+ community, asserting that love is permissible.

Chancellor Merz also spoke, thanking the churches for making it easier to bear the tragedy. He noted that the injured were no longer in life-threatening danger and personally addressed the queer community: "We will do everything to protect freedom and tolerance in our society. Everything." Despite the grief, he encouraged a return to life.

The heart of this city is freedom. Whatever the perpetrator wanted to achieve, we will not let this heart be taken from us.

— Bishop Christian StäbleinThe Bishop spoke about the resilience of Berlin's spirit and its commitment to freedom in the face of violence.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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