Mayor Specht regrets the cancellation of the Mile of Religions!

Mayor Specht regrets the cancellation of the Mile of Religions!

The anticipation of the “Religious Mile” in Mannheim was abruptly dampened on June 21, 2025. Mayor Christian Specht regrets the cancellation of this important interreligious event, which represents an important platform for dialogue for many Mannheim residents. The decision was made due to individual security concerns arising from the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East. Although there were no known specific threats to the event, security was considered a priority to ensure the well-being of everyone involved, such as MRN News reported.

The “Mile of Religions” is a series of events that brings together the cultures and beliefs of Jews, Christians, Muslims and Alevis. Since it was first held in 2007 on the occasion of Mannheim's 400th city anniversary, it has established itself as a permanent highlight in the city calendar. The cancellation not only leaves behind an organizational but also an emotional residue. The traditional meeting at the market square church of St. Sebastian, where an interreligious prayer was to open the evening, was intended to reflect the diversity of religious communities in the heart of the city. But now there remains hope that such forms of multi-religious exchange will resume soon.

Interreligious dialogue as a key to understanding

In a time full of tensions, interreligious dialogue is of enormous importance. It promotes peace and understanding between different faiths, like the website Fidev emphasized. The Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - share not only their roots in the figure of Abraham, but also numerous common values ​​such as mercy, justice and human dignity. These values ​​form the foundation on which peaceful coexistence in cities like Mannheim should be built.

Mayor Specht emphasizes the importance of dialogue in order to strengthen the geographical and cultural proximity of the places of worship in Mannheim. The Evangelical Church, the Catholic Church, the synagogue in F3 and the mosque on Luisenring are all in the immediate vicinity, making the city an ideal place for interreligious encounters. The abandonment of the “Religious Mile” does not mean the end of these efforts. Specht invites all event sponsors to a conversation to discuss future event formats and look for ways to further promote interreligious cooperation.

The power of shared values

All three Abrahamic faiths teach core principles that are essential to peace and harmony. Mercy – in Judaism as “Chesed”, in Christianity as the teachings of Jesus and in Islam as “Rahma” – is a value that comes to the fore particularly strongly in times of crisis. Asserting justice and preserving human dignity are also key points that help reduce prejudice and promote mutual understanding.

The unfortunately canceled “Mile of Religions” could therefore be seen as an impetus for new ideas and approaches in interreligious dialogue. Promoting such events is crucial for social cohesion and peace in society. Working together on projects in education and charity could be the way to build trust and shape a shared future.

In a city full of cultural diversity and historical connections, the desire to engage in conversation remains strong. As Specht so aptly puts it, the next dialogue could lay the foundation for a lasting, peaceful community.