Rewriting Solingen's Solemn Tribute: A Moment of Reflection on Tragedy

The North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) state commemorates the Solingen tragedy, remembering the innocent victims with solemn reverence.

After the apparent terror attack in Solingen, the NRW state parliament convened a special session to pay tribute to the victims. Parliament members observed a moment of silence, demonstrating the robustness of democracy, which remains strong, flexible, and resilient despite the attack.

André Kuper, the parliament president, marked the Solingen incident as a significant moment, emphasizing the responsibility of the state to strengthen its resilience.

A memorial book for the victims of the Solingen attack has been established in the state parliament, and updates on the situation will be shared with parliament members by the state's leader, Hendrik Wüst (CDU).

President Kuper welcomed representatives from Solingen, emergency services, and emergency pastoral care to the special session. "Our thoughts and sympathies lie with the families and loved ones of the deceased, injured, and those traumatized," Kuper shared.

The attack took place on Friday evening, last week, at a city festival in Solingen. A man armed with a knife took the lives of three individuals while injuring eight others. The 26-year-old Syrian suspect, Issa Al H., is currently in custody. The federal prosecutor's office is reviewing charges against him, including murder and suspected affiliation with the Islamic State (IS).

Issa Al H. entered Germany via Bulgaria at the end of 2022, where he should have been returned per EU asylum guidelines. Unfortunately, he was not found on the scheduled date in June 2023.

Kuper referred to a second pivotal moment in NRW history stemming from Solingen during his speech. Following the arson attacks in 1993 that claimed the lives of five women and girls of Turkish origin allegedly by right-wing extremists, Solingen's citizens demonstrated unity and solidarity.

Solingen encourages its residents to light a candle as a symbol of mourning and solidarity at the time of the incident, 21:37 on Friday evening, and to showcase it in their windows. "May Solingen be bathed in the glow of the candles," said Mayor Tim Kurzbach. Additionally, a brief and silent tribute is planned at the crime scene, the Fronhof in the city center.

The stabbing incident in Solingen has raised concerns about the safety and security of the city. It is crucial for authorities to address these issues effectively to safeguard and protect the community.

Despite the tragedy, the mayor of Solingen encourages residents to unite and show solidarity by lighting candles at 21:37 on Friday evening, symbolizing hope and unity against crime and terror.

Insights: - The stabbing attack occurred during Solingen's 650th anniversary festival in August 2024. - ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the suspect targeted Christians as retaliation for Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere. - Issa Al H. had applied for asylum in Germany and was supposed to be deported to Bulgaria, but he avoided deportation and was charged with murder, attempted murder, and membership in a terrorist organization. - Authorities are investigating the incident, with signs of an extremist motivation. The German government has initiated new restrictions on knives and measures to facilitate deportations, particularly for those who glorify or advocate for terrorist crimes. - The incident has heightened public concerns about crime security, particularly within the Afghan community in Germany, and has been exploited by far-right parties during the national election campaign, leading to calls for stricter immigration laws. The German government has been taking steps to address these concerns, including deportations of Afghan nationals to their homeland since the Taliban retook power in 2021.