‘Hijab martyr’ overshadows German Ramadan

BERLIN — Still stunned by the death of a hijab-clad woman by a German racist, German Muslims are observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan amid fierce rightist, anti-Muslim campaigns.
“Muslims are marking this year’s Ramadan in an unfriendly atmosphere,” Ibrahim El-Zayat, the director of the Islamic Assembly in German, told IslamOnline.net.

Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, started in Germany on Friday, August 21.

“The holy month was even preceded by extensive media focus on Islamophobia in Germany following the death of Marwa (Al-Sherbini),” said Zayat.

Sherbini, 32, was stabbed to death by a 28-year German of Russian origin in a courtroom in the eastern city of Dresden on July 1.

He stabbed her 18 times before the pregnant woman was to testify against him for insulting her for wearing hijab.

Sherbini's husband, who was preparing to discuss his Masters, was also injured when he tried to intervene to protect her.

The gruesome murder has outraged Muslims in German and across the Muslim world.

Zayat said rightist parties have also stepped up anti-Muslim campaigns to win votes in next month’s parliamentary elections.

“Some rightist parties, especially in Cologne, are vying for votes by frightening residents from Islam and Muslims.”

Far-right “Pro-Cologne” organization has been campaigning against plans by Muslim groups to build a large mosque in Germany’s fourth-largest city.

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Despite the rightist campaigns, Muslims have championed a series of initiatives to bolster community ties in the European country.

“Some municipalities have joined hands with locals groups to host collective iftar banquets,” Zayat said.

“These banquets are open to the needy, passers-by as well as Muslims.”

The Muslim leader also cited as a ‘major achievement’ the agreement among German Muslims on starting fasting on Friday.

German Muslims, hailing to different backgrounds, often disagree on the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Some follow their countries of origin on starting the fast, while others follow local Muslim groups in the European country.

There are more than 4 million Muslims in Germany, including 220,000 in Berlin, and Turks make up an estimated two thirds of the Muslim minority.

Islam comes third in Germany after Protestant and Catholic Christianity.