First Time in Germany: Frankfurt’s main street decorated for Ramadan

Frankfurt, the financial center of Europe, made a first in Germany by decorating its main street, Fressgass, with crescents, stars, and lanterns for the month of Ramadan.

The Frankfurt Municipality in Germany hung illuminated signs saying “Happy Ramadan” at two different entrances of Fressgass, one of the city’s busiest streets, for the month of Ramadan. The street, closed to traffic, was adorned with crescents, stars, and lanterns for Ramadan. The Frankfurt Municipality announced that the decorations would remain until April 9th, making it the first major city municipality in Germany to provide special lighting for Ramadan. It was noted that the decorations would be lit on the first day of Ramadan and the cost exceeded 50,000 euros. Frankfurt Mayor Nargess Eskandari-Grünberg stated in a press release that they wanted to congratulate Muslims in the city with an important message of friendship throughout the month of Ramadan. Eskandari-Grünberg, who supported the decision of the City Council to provide special lighting for Ramadan, said, “These are the lights of unity, a stance against discrimination, anti-Muslim racism, and also against antisemitism.”

Until now, only streets were decorated during Christmas and the Jewish Hanukkah holiday in Germany. Germany’s 5.5 million Muslims make up 6.5% of the country’s population, with 150,000 Muslims living only in Frankfurt and its surrounding areas.