Christians in Solingen respond to terror attack incident
In the heart of Germany, the city of Solingen was shaken by a terrorist attack during its 650th anniversary celebration on August 24. Three innocent lives were tragically lost, while eight others were injured, four of them seriously, but they are now out of danger.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, visiting Solingen, vowed not to tolerate such acts of terrorism against the country and its way of life. He emphasized that the community spirit will not be destroyed by evil criminals who pursue the worst ideologies, and that they will act against them with rigor and severity.
A 26-year-old Syrian man, suspected to be a member of the Islamist terrorist organization Islamic State (IS), was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Federal Court of Justice in Karlsruhe. The suspect, who had been living in a refugee accommodation in Solingen, was arrested on Saturday evening.
A memorial service was held a few days later in the church next to the site of the attack, organized by the Association of Christian Churches. Protestant pastor Friederike Höroldt and the Catholic city dean, Michael Mohr, led the service. The mayor of Solingen, Tim Kurzbach, and the president of the Protestant Church in the Rhineland, Thorsten Latzel, were among those in attendance.
Höroldt encouraged the people of Solingen to look for comfort, help, and support after the attack. She urged against rumors, slander, and finger-pointing in the search for those responsible. Superintendent Ilka Werner, of the Solingen church district, questioned how such a heinous act could have occurred.
Kirsten Fehrs, president of the mainline Protestant Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD), and Georg Bätzing, president of the Catholic German Bishops' Conference, issued a joint statement, expressing shock and mourning for the victims. Federal President Frank Walter Steinmeier urged all citizens to "stand together against hatred and violence".
The IS claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the aim was "revenge for Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere". In the aftermath, the already heated debate about migration in Germany has intensified. Politicians from all parties are calling for a tougher course in asylum policy and a limit on migration to Germany.
The Evangelical Focus has a sustainability challenge ahead, and is encouraging those committed to its mission to join. In the face of adversity, the people of Solingen and the Christian community stand united, offering comfort and support to each other.
