A Christmas event in Berlin has sparked considerable controversy and criticism. An association is hosting a tour in the Christmas Garden of the Friedenskirche Charlottenburg under the title ‘Decolonizing Christmas,’ aiming to highlight ‘colonial and discriminatory images’ within the Christmas story with both Muslim and Christian voices. This initiative was made possible through funding from the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion.
Is ‘Decolonizing Christmas’ an Absurd Attack on Tradition?
Seyran Ates, founder of a liberal mosque and former lawyer, deems the offering absurd. “Basically, I am truly speechless and no longer know what words to use to comment on the developments of recent years,” she stated in an interview with WELT TV. She points out numerous invitations to Iftar during Ramadan, where traditional lighting is installed, while elsewhere, attempts are made to ‘uninstall’ Christianity. “I cannot describe it any other way.”
Ates further elaborated on the attempt to ‘decolonize’ Christmas, saying, “The birth of Jesus Christ is linked to power games.” She added, “I really looked for a long time to see if I could find any connection between the Christmas story and colonization. No, that is truly more than absurd.”
“I am truly shocked that the Friedenskirche is participating in this. I don’t know what background this has, that Christian traditions, which in my opinion convey peace and love, are being criticized so severely within a Christian context,” commented the author. She also highlighted the contrasting situation in German schools, where so-called Islamic traditions like gender segregation, halal food, or wearing a headscarf are being enforced, while simultaneously “people want to abolish Christmas.” She concluded her remarks with, “So now I have talked so much, and yet I am speechless.”
A One-Sided Accusation Against the West?
The ‘decolonization of Christmas’ is being framed as an accusation against the West. In Berlin, Christmas is being discussed as a ‘colonial festival’ within the framework of an interfaith tour. Islamic scholar Susanne Schröter criticizes the one-sidedness, stating, “This is an absolute accusation against the West.”
Susanne Schröter, an emeritus professor of Islamic studies at the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, told WELT TV that there would be no objection to shedding light on discriminatory customs. “Of course, we have massive anti-Semitism, not only in Christian history but also in Muslim history. We currently have an exploding anti-Semitism that is also shaped by Muslim citizens,” she said. “None of this is being addressed.”
The debate surrounding ‘Decolonizing Christmas’ in Berlin highlights a growing tension between preserving traditional religious practices and re-evaluating historical narratives through a contemporary lens. Critics argue that while inclusivity is important, the approach taken by the Berlin initiative may be misdirected, potentially alienating communities rather than fostering genuine understanding. The funding of such a project by a government body further intensifies the discussion, raising questions about state involvement in religious and cultural interpretations.
This event serves as a microcosm of broader societal discussions on cultural identity, historical revisionism, and the role of religious institutions in modern, diverse societies. The strong reactions from figures like Seyran Ates and Susanne Schröter underscore the sensitivity of these topics and the need for nuanced approaches that respect all traditions while addressing historical injustices.
The question remains whether such initiatives truly promote dialogue and understanding, or if they inadvertently create further divisions by challenging deeply held beliefs without offering a balanced perspective. The controversy in Berlin is a stark reminder of the complexities involved in navigating cultural and religious sensitivities in a rapidly changing world.
Source: https://www.welt.de/vermischtes/article693800fdc3b4893a9e2b2f50/berlin-sie-wollen-weihnachten-abschaffen-ich-bin-sprachlos-sagt-die-imamin-zu-decolonizing-christmas.html
