Repeated vandalism in Essen - Muslim youths start campaign to protect church
The church in Essen-Altendorf is increasingly being plagued by vandalism. The Kreuzeskirche, a historic Protestant church located in the city center, has recently been subjected to vandalism. Unknown perpetrators defaced the church's exterior by spray-painting a skull image on its walls adding to the problem of repeatedly broken windows.
Time and again, the expensive bull's-eye windows of the Protestant church are destroyed, sometimes accidentally by children playing football, but sometimes deliberately. No perpetrators have yet been caught.
Last year, the police received 11 reports of vandalism at the Christuskirche. This year there have already been 5 reports.
Reacing to the increasing problems, young people from the neighbouring Mosque have started an awareness raising campagin to help protect the Lutheran church. Young people from the Muslim community have started distributing flyers in five languages, calling for greater respect for the Christian place of worship. As the alleged perpetrators are of a similar age, young people from the central mosque are more likely to engage with them. They hope that, by appealing to their peers, they can credibly demand respect for people of other faiths.
Sources: waz.de, Radio Essen