Thanks to the diligent research conducted by the four women above, most of us are aware that Ramadan is a Swedish tradition.
But did you know that Ramadan is a German tradition, too?
Knowing that these European countries put their differences aside and unite during Islam’s holiest month really does warm my heart.
German radio broadcaster Deutschlandfunk Kultur has claimed that the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is not only an “old German custom” but that it had been celebrated in the country longer than Oktoberfest.
In an article, journalist Eren Güvercin claims that Ramadan is a thoroughly German holiday and that there is no question that Islam belongs to Germany.
Güvercin maintains that the practice is older the Oktoberfest, also known in Bavaria as Wiesn. While he provides no evidence for his assertion, the earliest Wiesn celebrations are thought to have been held on 12 October 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Prince Ludwig, later King Ludwig I, and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.
Yeah, except that Islam was formed at the start of the 7th century, meaning it has been part and parcel of Deutsch culture for more than a millennium longer than Oktoberfest.
That said, it’s still possible for Germans to celebrate both Ramadan and Oktoberfest.
In the following photo, for example, we can see a trio of colorized gentlemen – including one Somali, which is 100% confirmed haji – celebrating their newfound Germanic heritage with some fine Bavarian ale.
Who says that these people can’t be European?
The oldest mosque in Germany, by contrast, was built in Berlin in 1915 and was discovered by an archaeological team in 2015. The mosque, which was made of wood, was thought to have been intended for Muslim prisoners of war as it was built inside a World War One-era prison camp.
Wait a sec, German soldiers built a mosque for Moslem prisoners during WWI?
I thought krauts were supposed to be monstrous – pedal-powered skull crusher monstrous – to prisoners during wartime?
Or maybe that’s just the Nazis?
But Nazis are made from the same genetic… ah, nevermind. Bad, bad, thoughts.
Of course the Holocaust happened. Let’s get back to the subject.
“Fasting in the month of Ramadan has long been part of the German religious landscape. It is a German reality. To break the fast in the evening, many people gather in Germany to eat together and to meet each other,” Güvercin said.
“Islamic religious practice has long since found its home in Germany. And we German Muslims are looking forward to Ramadan in our Germany. Nobody can deny that to us,” he added.
So, “Eren Güvercin” is actually a Moslem.
***FACE REVEAL***
That’s… surprising. No really, I’m surprised.
“Ramadan is a German tradition” is exactly what you’d expect a real German broadcaster to say in 2018, either because he actually believes it or because his guilt from the Six Million compels him to believe it.
But nope; this one’s a haji.
I guess this shows that Germany isn’t quite as bad as Sweden yet.
And yes, it is a competition (at least for Sweden).