Interreligious dialogue
Children have no borders and do not make distinctions, which is why Christian and Muslim children could and should play and learn together. The “Abrahams Kinder” kindergarten has opened its doors in Gifhorn, a town with a population of about 42,000 in Lower Saxony. On 2 August, it will begin its regular activities as the first Christian-Muslim kindergarten in Germany. “We want to make our contribution to the encounter of these two cultures”, said Martin Wrasmann, president of the local Catholic Pastoral Commission. The idea has been quite successful and has received support from the local community. Despite the registration process being initially opposed by populist and far-right groups, the interreligious study group and the local administration have provided 15 places for children aged 1 to 6, which were taken up in just a few hours. According to Mr Wrasmann, for many years the Catholic community of the parish of Saint Altfrid has been engaged in a fruitful cooperation with the community of the local Turkish Islamic Cultural Association (DITIB): peaceful marches, prayers and meetings with young people are part of their common programme. The idea of a common kindergarten came at a time when the Muslim community was planning, with difficulty, its own kindergarten: Catholics came up with a proposal – why not run a common institution? – which was welcomed with enthusiasm, and thanks to the moderate support of Evangelicals, through the charitable organization Diakonie, and the large Kurdish community, the project became a reality. “Abraham was chosen as a symbol because he is the father of both religions”, Mr Wrasmann added, stressing that “Abrahams Kinder” will be a place of awareness, also opened to children with no religion at all.
