100 participants at the "Angel of Cultures" prayer for peace

Around 100 participants gathered for a public prayer for peace entitled "Angel of Cultures" on Benölkenplatz in Bocholt. They set an interfaith sign for peace, tolerance and charity.

The participants gathered around the "Angel of Cultures" artwork inlaid into the pavement of the square.

"No matter what religion or culture you belong to, no matter what nationality you are - we have a common purpose. We would like to renew the promise we made to each other on this spot in 2016 and pray together for peace," said Ulrik Störzer from the family education centre.

The promise of peace reads:

"We live in one world. We allow each other and give each other space to develop. Humanity and respect for creation characterise the centre formed by all. We are connected to each other and will only shape the future together and peacefully."

Noman Hamid (head of the Ahmadiyya community youth organisation in Bocholt), Christian Fechtenkötter (Catholic priest of the Liebfrauen parish in Bocholt) and Taha Cicekc (DITIB community) spoke to those gathered. Joint intercessions, songs and the greeting of peace were recited.

A group of pupils from St George's Grammar School had brought symbols with them - a dove of peace, the "peace" sign and a rainbow flag. "Only by practising tolerance can we live together peacefully. With the dove of peace and the rainbow flag signed by all members of the school community, we want to publicise our attitude and our desire for more tolerance and peace and at the same time renew our commitment to the title 'School without Racism - School with Courage'," said Alina Kersten, Elanur Ucar, Noa Wüpping and Finja Raschdorf on behalf of their school.

Afterwards, the guests took the opportunity to chat and get to know each other over tea, coffee and biscuits in the canteen.

The public prayer for peace "Angel of Cultures" takes place every year in November on Benölkenplatz in Bocholt.

What is the "Angel of Cultures"?

The "Angel of Cultures" is an art project to promote intercultural dialogue by artists Gregor Merten and Carmen Dietrich(www.engel-der-kulturen.de). The floor inlay was laid on Benölkenplatz in Bocholt in November 2016. Since then, an interfaith prayer for peace has been organised there every year.

In the "Angel of Cultures" symbol, the signs of the three Abrahamic world religions represent all cultures and religions. They only half emerge from the surrounding ring; the complete form only becomes visible through the inner perception of the observer. The basic geometric shapes recognisable in the signs - triangle, square and circle - also symbolise the diversity of all cultural manifestations.