Demands for the lighting of Berlin during the month of Ramadan
The parliamentary group of the "Greens" party in Berlin has called for the lighting of main streets and squares in the capital during the holy month of Ramadan, similar to the decorations and lighting that the city experiences during the Christmas holidays.
The bloc has submitted an official proposal calling for the start of this project from 2026, noting that the number of Muslims in Berlin is the largest compared to any other German city, and that Islam is an integral part of the city's identity, practiced by many of its residents. The aim of this step is to enhance feelings of belonging and appreciation for the Muslim community in Berlin.
The proposal includes prominent places such as Kurfürstendamm, Unter den Linden, Friedrichstraße, and Potsdamer Platz. The party emphasized that the visibility of Islamic life should not be limited to immigrant areas but should be part of the city's overall landscape.
Berlin has already witnessed some Ramadan initiatives, such as the display of the illuminated phrase "Ramadan Kareem" in front of the Tiergarten Town Hall. Other cities like Cologne, Munich, and Frankfurt have long started decorating their streets with Ramadan lights, and the cost of the Frankfurt project in 2023 was about 50,000 euros for purchasing the decorations and 15,000 euros for installation.
The project in Berlin is set to be funded by tourism budgets and through private sector sponsors, similar to how Christmas decorations are funded.
The proposal includes a call for the Senate in Berlin to cooperate with local municipalities, Muslim communities, and the Berlin-Brandenburg Traders' Union, with a report on progress to be submitted by September 30. It is worth noting that the upcoming Ramadan will begin on February 16, 2026, and end on March 18, 2026.