Frankfurt becomes first German city to celebrate Ramadan

The German city of Frankfurt has become the first in the nation to commemorate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, with celebratory lighting installed that has earned praise from the local Muslim community.

Workers have been hanging lights shaped like stars and crescent moons near Frankfurt's Alte Oper concert hall in preparation for the start of Ramadan on March 10, reported Germany's Bild newspaper.

During the Ramadan fasting and reflective period, which runs to April 9, Frankfurt's pedestrianized Grosse Bockenheimer Strasse, often referred to locally as "Fressgass", or "food alley", will feature a prominent "Happy Ramadan" sign and festive decorations.

The decorations were blocked by some officials last year, but the city's governing Green Party was able to push the motion through this year.

"By decorating during Ramadan, the city of Frankfurt is sending an important signal to Muslims and appreciates the people of Muslim faith in this city," the Greens wrote in an application to the city council.

Frankfurt's Mayor Nargess Eskandari-Grunberg, of the Greens, said: "They are lights of togetherness, against reservations, against discrimination, against anti-Muslim racism, and also against anti-Semitism."

The city council's chairwoman, Hilime Arslaner, said: "Ramadan is a time in which people reflect on what is really important in life: having something to eat, a roof over your head, and peace and comfort with family, friends and neighbors. I'm pleased that these messages of peace during Ramadan will be visible in our Frankfurt."

The lighting installation will cost an estimated 50,000 to 100,000 euros ($54,500 to $109,000), German media reported.

Frankfurt is home to nearly 800,000 residents and ranks as Germany's fifth-largest city behind Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Cologne. It is the main hub of the nation's financial industry, said Deutsche Welle, or DW News.

Embracing its multicultural identity, the city boasts a diverse population, with Muslims comprising approximately 15 percent of inhabitants.

There has been some resistance to applications for Ramadan installations in Frankfurt from center-right politicians. Yannick Schwander, a Christian Democratic Union party representative, highlighted that Christmas lights in Frankfurt only receive funding from trade associations and from donations. He advocated for an inclusive approach to city funding that extends beyond any single religion.

"We are of the opinion that if such a kitty exists, then it must serve all religious communities in Frankfurt," Schwander said, according to local state broadcaster Hessischer Rundfunk.

Mohamed Seddadi, chairman of Frankfurt's Muslim Community, was quoted by DW as saying the illuminations would be "very meaningful for Muslims", adding that they indicated that "we all belong together".

In the United Kingdom, London last year illuminated Piccadilly Circus with Ramadan lights, marking the first time a European city had marked the festival in such a way.

jonathan@mail.chinadailyuk.com