UPF Munich, Germany holds Interreligious Peace Meeting in the Fatih Mosque

On 13 July 2024, the interreligious circle of UPF Munich asked the question, “Can Abraham still be the base for an integrating force for peace today?”

The interreligious circle of the Universal Peace Federation met on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in the Fatih Mosque in Munich Giesing to celebrate the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice (Kurban), which commemorates

the prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who, according to Islamic tradition, passed the great divine test of faith. Ten participants from four different religious communities attended this small, but no less significant, beautiful peace event. The community of the Turkish-Muslim association VIKZ were the open-hearted hosts.

After a guided tour of the mosque, which is located on the third floor of the six-storey building, there was a lively exchange about Abraham’s extended family and about faith, love and reconciliation. Two Turkish educators and imams were appointed ambassadors of peace.

The invitation stated:

In the Bible, (James 2,23-24) he is called ‘the friend of God’. ‘’This fulfils the Scripture which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and this was reckoned to him as righteousness’, and he was called ‘a friend of God’. So, you see that man is justified by works, not by faith alone.”

We all agreed that we also wanted to become friends of God and all people through our peace- making activities and actions.

We were able to enjoy Turkish delicacies, which were offered at a small fair in the yard of the house to round off this moving event.

Report: Robert Bentele (English: Catriona Valenta)