Berlin's 'Long night of Religions'
Despite only a third of Berlin's population professing to a religion, 93 faith Groups across the capital have united in a unique event. By opening their doors to the public, they hope to educate as well as celebrate.
Capital of diversity
Almost 100 religious communities from across the city took part in this year's "Lange Nacht der Religionen" or "Long night of religions" - opening their doors to an estimated 10,000 fellow Berliners. From Judaism to Paganism, Christianity to Hinduism; sermons, tours, meditation and rituals all took place in synagogues, churches and temples across Berlin's 12 districts.
Inter-religious prayer
The "Lange Nacht" began on Saturday afternoon with an inter-religious prayer ceremony in Berlin’s "Französische Friedrichstadtkirche," with representatives of several faiths reading a short prayer or passage from their religious text. Sometimes known as Berlin's "French cathedral," the church, in its original design, was built for 6,000 French refugees who fled to Germany in the 17th century.
Preventing prejudice
The event's organizer, Dr Thomas Schimmel, said the event was a "huge success," adding that he aimed diminish any misconceptions about religion. "Religion is actually something peaceful and unifying," he told DW. Religion isn't what's often portrayed in the media - namely that they're violent and fundamentalist."
Food of unity
Berlin's Sikh community provided a feast of traditional vegetarian foods at this year's "weißen Tafel" or "white table" banquet. Basking in the glorious August sunshine, participants enjoyed an open-air lunch on Berlin's "Gendarmenmarkt," while chatting to members of different faith groups from around the capital.
Positive change
Ravidener Singh, his wife, Jasneet, and their three year-old son, Jaskeerat, are all members of Berlin's Sikh community. Ravidender said the event, now in its fourth year, has already made a positive difference. "We think the understanding about Sikhs is improving a lot. People are getting more chances to know about us, and so in schools our children are also facing fewer problems," he told DW.
Newcomers
Joining the "Long Night" for the first time this year was "Pagan ways and communities." Asked about the motive behind their participation, the group's co-organizer group Moira Denzer had a strong message for her fellow Berliners. "What we want to achieve is to say that we are here," Denzer said. "We're also people and we, too, are as religious as all other religions."
The impact of Islam
The impressive Turkish Ditib-Sehitlik mosque at Berlin's Columbiadamm is just one of over 100 mosques and prayer rooms in the German capital. The site is also home to a Turkish cemetery, which dates back to the 18th century. Second to Christianity, Islam is Berlin's most popular religion. The city's Muslim population doubled between 1992 and 2013, accounting for 8.1 percent of Berliners.
Colorful faith
The Sri Mayurapathy Murugan Temple in Berlin's Neukölln district was without doubt the most colorful place of worship to visit during the "Long Night". Most of the Hindu Mahasabhai congregration are South Indian and Tamil Hindus from Sri Lanka. Around 200 Hindus belonging to the Berlin Hindu Mahasabhai association founded their first "temple" in a Berlin cellar in 1992.
Threat of persecution
Hoping to observe the Jewish Havdalah ceremony, which marks the end of the Sabbath, visitors to Kreuzberg's Fraenkelufer Synagogue were given a stark reminder, however, of the threats still faced by religious groups. All visitors members of the congregation were required to pass through a body scanner and undergo a bag check before entering the synagogue.
Closing prayers
Under a bright full moon, the event drew to a close shortly before midnight on Saturday with one final inter-religious prayer in front of the "Deutscher Dom." At the center of the congregation stood a display created by lighting artist Leo Lebendig.
Peace lights
The project titled "Peace lights" represents six faiths: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddism, Hinduism, Baha'i. In the center shone a single white light symbolizing everything which the "Long night of religions" aims to promote: "the unity of all people and all religions in the divine light of life."