As of: April 8, 2024, 9:00 a.m
By: Andreas Jäger
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There has been an Islamic community in Weilheim for almost 40 years. In order to reduce prejudices, the community would now like to become more involved in interreligious dialogue. A Catholic priest was there to break the fast.
After sunset, Muslims celebrate breaking their fast in Ramadan. Women and men eat separately. © rudder
Weilheim
- Friday evening, shortly before sunset: In the mosque at Weilheimer Meisteranger everything is already prepared for the moment that will come that day at 7:58 p.m. sharp. Long tables with numerous chairs have been set up, cutlery and napkins are already on the tables, and some people are already pouring themselves a glass of water. But before 7:58 p.m., no sip is taken - and nothing is eaten either.
Why? Because Muslims are currently in the fasting month of Ramadan. And that means: No food or drinks are consumed from sunrise to sunset. Last Friday was the 27th day of the fasting month - a very special day for Muslims. “On the 27th day, the Prophet Mohammed received the Koran for the first time,” explains the chairman of the Islamic Community, Attila Güven.
Around 120 paying members
Güven, who grew up in Peißenberg, has been the chairman of the community, which has existed in Weilheim since 1985, since last year. The community now has around 120 paying members and, according to the chairman, is financed exclusively through donations. The trend is rising - because of the constant migration from Islamic countries such as Syria, Afghanistan and Tunisia. “We have had a strong influx since 2015 and are also a contact point for refugees,” reports Güven.
Interreligious dialogue: Pastor Georg Fetsch (left) and Attila Güven, chairman of the Islamic community. © ralf ruder
The community has been based in the building on Meisteranger since the mid-1990s. Also in the 1990s, she joined the mosque association DITIB, which is subordinate to the Turkish religious authority. The imams are civil servants of the Turkish state and are usually trained there. “Imam training now also exists in Germany,” emphasizes Güven. Unlike open mosque communities, an imam in an association “is not allowed to simply preach whatever he wants,” says Güven: “Politics is completely left out, it’s all about religion.”
Regularly at the “Open Mosque Day”
When breaking the fast on Friday, a gentleman with a cross pin on his jacket sits at a table - it is Peißenberg's pastor Georg Fetsch. Both Güven and Fetsch are very interested in interreligious exchange, which is why Christians were also invited to break the fast. In addition to Fetsch, other members of the parish initially wanted to be there - but they canceled at short notice.
“I have always wanted to break through parallel societies,” says Güven, “that’s why we also have a board of directors that opens up.” By going public, which in the future will also include regular participation in the “Open Mosque Day” on March 3rd. The aim is to reduce prejudices and strengthen cooperation in October. “People are only afraid of what they don’t know,” says Pastor Fetsch.
Breaking the fast begins with dates
Slowly but surely it's approaching 8 p.m. on that Friday evening. Imam Cemal Bildik has set a timer on his cell phone so that he can start the breaking of the fast with a shout in good time. And then you can feast again as you please. Traditionally, at the beginning of breaking the fast, a date is eaten, then there is soup and then meat and rice are served. Most of them finished their plates in no time, and quite a few went back to the buffet to get seconds. When everyone is full, they go to a room with a soft carpet. It is the room where parishioners say their prayers. Praying several times a day is common in Islam, not just during the month of fasting.
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By the way, Attila Güven and the community members don't really have any problems with going the whole day without eating or drinking. “You're so withdrawn that you don't even think about it,” says Güven. Fasting would also change the awareness of how precious food actually is: “You appreciate what you have again.”