United we stand: Muslims praying in Berlin church during Ramzan
While the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the world, a Berlin church is hosting Muslims who are unable to fit into their mosque for their prayers during Ramzan, setting a forward example of communal harmony.
Let's take a look:
Ramzan
The Dar Assalam mosque in the Neukölln district normally welcomes hundreds of Muslims to its Friday services. But it can currently only accommodate 50 people at a time under Germany's coronavirus restrictions.
The church, a red-brick neo-renaissance building in Berlin's Kreuzberg district could hardly offer a sharper contrast to the cultural centre in Neukoelln where the Muslim congregation is accustomed to gathering.
(Photograph:Reuters)
Ramzan
The church is hosting Muslims who are unable to fit into their mosque for Friday prayers because of social distancing guidelines.
(Photograph:Reuters)
Ramzan
During the holy fasting month of Ramadan, the nearby Martha Lutheran church stepped in to help, hosting Muslim prayers in Arabic and German.
(Photograph:Reuters)
Ramzan
Places of worship reopened in Germany on May 4 after being shut for weeks under a coronavirus lockdown, but worshippers must maintain a minimum distance from one another of 1.5 metres.
(Photograph:Reuters)
;Ramzan
The Islamic Council, an umbrella group of 400 mosques, said in April that many face bankruptcy because the closures stretched into the holy fasting month of Ramadan, usually a vital period for donations.