Open Mosque Day: Encounter and exchange
The Open Mosque Day has been held annually since 1997. This makes it one of the oldest public events organized by Muslims in Germany and a highlight of community activities. A key feature of the Open Mosque Day is that it creates a space and opportunity for encounters that are often lacking in everyday life.
It is a special opportunity to get to know the mosque and thus Islam and Muslims as neighbors, to learn from each other, to correct misconceptions about each other, and thus to reduce prejudices and appreciate religious and cultural diversity.
In 2007, the Coordination Council of Muslims (KRM) assumed responsibility for this day of togetherness and getting to know one another. Every year, around 100,000 visitors gather in more than 1,000 mosques across Germany. These numerous encounters give all participants hope, strength, and confidence for living together harmoniously in society.
The beginnings
Over 5 million Muslims live in Germany. Most of them, or their parents and grandparents, came to Germany in the 1960s as part of labor migration. They founded associations and mosques to practice their religion, culture, and traditions. They have since become integrated into German society and make diverse contributions to the common good.
Many encounters take place in clubs and mosques. To foster understanding and dialogue, Muslims in Germany have organized the Open Mosque Day (TOM) every year since 1997 – a day when people of different religions and cultures meet in mosques. Of course, mosques can also be visited outside of the TOM.
Why a TOM motto?
Since 2007, the Open Mosque Day has been organized on October 3rd under the auspices of the Coordination Council of Muslims (KRM) and with a new theme each year. The chosen theme is intended to highlight that Muslims active in mosques, associations, educational and cultural institutions, initiative groups, and action alliances have long been engaging with societal issues and want to contribute positively. This focus also allows for a more realistic portrayal of Muslims, one that often receives little attention from the general public, to be presented to the wider community. Furthermore, each year's theme offers an opportunity to present the Muslim self-understanding from a different perspective.
What's there at TOM?
On October 3rd, German Unity Day, more than a thousand mosques offer guided tours, lectures, exhibitions, informational materials, and opportunities for interaction, which are attended by several thousand visitors. This deliberately chosen date for the TOM (Tourism Initiative) is intended to express the self-understanding of Muslims as part of German society and their connection to the population as a whole.
Participating mosques in 2023:
IGMG Local Association Neustadt e. V. (Hicret Mosque)
Kantstr. 98, 28201 Bremen
Fatih Mosque Bremen eV,
Stapelfeldtstr. 9, 28237 Bremen
IGMG Local Association Huchting e. V.
Carl-Hurtzig-Str. 5, 28259 Bremen
IGMG Local Association Hemelingen e. V.
Hemelinger Bahnhofstr. 44, 28309 Bremen
IGMG Local Association Tenever e. V.
Züricher Str. 6a, 28325 Bremen
Eyüp Sultan Mosque
Sonnebergerstraße 18, 28329 Bremen
IGMG Local Association Blumenthal e. V.
Lüssumer Str. 7, 28779 Bremen
Bremen Education and Culture Association e. V.
Am Schwarzen Meer 58-62, 28205 Bremen
Venue:
various locations