German Minister Joins Friday Prayers for Hostages

Written by Administrator

Sunday, 04 December 2005

Prayers were said at some mosques in the German capital of Berlin on Friday for the release of a German woman archeologist, Susanne Osthoff, who was abducted in Iraq. The Minister of Interior Ehrhart Korting of Berlin Province joined in on Friday prayers at the Mosque of Martyrdom, a mosque affiliated with the Turkish-Islamic Union of Department of Religious Affairs (DITIB). Korting expressed his appreciation for the initiative DITIB has taken with the intention of denouncing terror and thanked the DITIB officials for the invitation. The Islamic axiom specifying anyone murdering a man or woman is like someone who has murdered the entire mankind is also included in the Bible, said the German minister. His participation in the Friday prayers at the mosque attracted great attention. "We might have different religions; however, we are all against global terrorism," said Kortig. When asked whether he will make a habit of joining Friday prayers from now on, the German Minister answered this is the first time he attended Friday prayers; however, he has been paying visits to various mosques on a regular basis within the frame of holding inter-religious dialogue with Muslims.

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