Syrian and Arab activists organized a humanitarian stand in Germany to show solidarity with the families of the victims who were killed in an attack by the Islamic State organization in the German city of Solingen.
The vigil came after calls on social media by Syrian and Arab activists in Germany, organized today, Saturday, August 31, at the site of the stabbing incident in Solingen.
Syrian boxer Haidar Warda, who participated in the solidarity vigil, told Enab Baladi that “the criminal only represents himself and does not represent Syrians. The German people embraced the Syrians and stood by them, so we must show solidarity with them and condemn any criminal act that targets this country which has embraced refugees.”
Ahmad al-Haraki stated that he participated in the vigil to affirm that the stance of Syrians in Germany is unified against all forms of terrorism and extremism, and they reject anyone who commits crimes in the name of Syrians.
Syrians had called on August 26 for a moment of silence to mourn the lives lost in the recent events in Solingen, to send a message to the world that Syrians stand against terrorism.
The Islamic State organization claimed responsibility for an attack during a festival in the western German city of Solingen on August 23. The attack was carried out by a man who randomly stabbed many festival-goers with a knife, killing three people and injuring eight others.
The attack took place in a bustling square in the city center, where a Festival of Diversity was held to mark the 650th anniversary of Solingen’s founding, according to the German newspaper “Bild.”
The attacker, a 26-year-old Syrian national, surrendered to German authorities on August 24.
The terrorist attack in Germany has increased refugees’ fears about their future, with the German government announcing a package of asylum and security policy measures that are set to be presented to the German parliament for approval.
Reuters reported on August 29 that the German government is working on imposing laws related to weapons possession, increasing security authorities’ powers, deportations, and preventive measures.
Among the new measures set to be voted on by the German parliament is the denial of asylum rights to refugees who travel to their home countries without a compelling humanitarian reason, such as attending the funeral of a relative.
The German government also plans to cut aid to refugees who entered Germany through other European countries and were registered there (Dublin Regulation), limiting them to basic necessities such as food, shelter, and essential products.
These moves come just days before elections in two eastern German states, where the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany party (AfD) leads in the polls, increasing pressure on the ruling coalition to take a tougher stance on this issue.