Multi-religious gathering in Frankfurt: Religious representatives unite for respect, solidarity, and peace

The multi-religious gathering held on the historic Römerberg was framed by spiritual recitations from the wisdom of Sikhi. Credits: SikhiCouncil

United for truthfulness and solidarity

In a powerful expression of respect, love, and humanity, Alevis, Bahá'ís, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs came together in the heart of Frankfurt. On the Römerberg – directly in front of the City Hall – they hosted a multi-religious peace gathering, gently framed by spiritual recitations. Especially in times when polarization, racism, violence, exclusion, fake news, and hate speech – increasingly amplified online – are disturbingly normalized, this gathering offered an important sign of solidarity and commitment to peace.

In a world marked by short-term, fragmented political agendas, growing unilateralism, and increasingly radical responses to global crises, it was encouraging to witness how religious communities stood together for shared values, long-term cooperation, and a spirit of mutual responsibility.

Mayor Dr. Eskandari-Grünberg, who served as the event’s patron, emphasized the importance of Frankfurt’s strong social cohesion. The peace gathering was jointly organized by numerous partners – including the Zentrum Ökumene, the Council of Religions Frankfurt, the Tibet House, and the city’s Department for Multicultural Affairs (AMKA). The event was held in remembrance of the end of the Second World War 80 years ago – a moment that continues to remind us of the need to take shared responsibility for a peaceful and just society.

The multi-religious gathering on Frankfurt’s Römerberg captivated people of all ages. Credits: SikhiCouncil, Gurlal Singh

This gathering was more than a symbolic act – it was a living expression of responsibility and foresight, and a public affirmation of the vital role religions play as part of civil society. Participants emphasized the importance of consciously upholding human dignity in everyday life and committing to the pursuit of a just and peaceful social order.

The event encouraged those present: openness of heart, a willingness to engage in dialogue, and deep spiritual grounding can bring joy and love into life – and foster a spirit of mutual respect. Toward the end of the gathering, the Sikhs invited the participants to link hands or arms with those beside them – as a moment of reflection and connection, encouraging everyone to see one another as soulful beings, not merely anonymous individuals.

The wisdom of Sikhi

In harmony with the contributions of all participating religious communities, the wisdom of Sikhi reminded people to recognize every human being as an expression of the same Divine source – and as a member of one interconnected family.

Peace does not fall from the sky. Peace must be dared, shaped, and nurtured. This spiritual stance was made tangible on the Römerberg through the recitation of timeless verses from Gurbani – the revealed spiritual wisdom at the heart of Sikhi. These recitations formed the audible and experiential framework of the event.

The verses offered profound inspiration: to look beyond appearances, to question the mental boxes into which we place others, and to adopt a view of the world in which living beings are perceived as spiritual in essence – not as interchangeable biological machines.

ਕੋਊ ਭਇਓ ਮੁੰਡੀਆ ਸੰਨਿਆਸੀ ਕੋਊ ਜੋਗੀ ਭਇਓ ਕੋਊ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਚਾਰੀ ਕੋਊ ਜਤੀ ਅਨੁਮਾਨਬੋ ॥
ਹਿੰਦੂ ਤੁਰਕ ਕੋਊ ਰਾਫਜੀ ਇਮਾਮ ਸਾਫੀ ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ ॥
ਕਰਤਾ ਕਰੀਮ ਸੋਈ ਰਾਜਕ ਰਹੀਮ ਓਈ ਦੂਸਰੋ ਨ ਭੇਦ ਕੋਈ ਭੂਲ ਭ੍ਰਮ ਮਾਨਬੋ ॥
ਏਕ ਹੀ ਕੀ ਸੇਵ ਸਭ ਹੀ ਕੋ ਗੁਰਦੇਵ ਏਕ ਏਕ ਹੀ ਸਰੂਪ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਜੋਤ ਜਾਨਬੋ ॥੧੫॥੮੫॥ DG, Akal Ustat, 16

Inspiring words for the audience

The following inspiration was shared by Khushwant Singh:

ONE Family

A warm welcome today here in Frankfurt.
We are very happy to see so many people.
And those who were here earlier may have listened to the divine recitations.
The purpose behind these recitations is that we gain intuitive access to our spiritual self, beyond the intellect.
It is the divine spirit that awakens us to life.
Today, as I look around, I see great diversity, and it feels to me as if we are many colourful flowers.
We are all flowers. We are part of the family of flowers.
There are different flowers, and each of you – and it's lovely that children are also here – brings a special fragrance to life.
Yet, in the end, we are ONE family.
That is why we recited:
Maanas Ki Jaate Sabhai Ekai Paihechaanbo.
ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ ॥
Always remember to regard the human family as one.
The previous speakers expressed it also beautifully.
We are all ONE family.
We can say this easily.
But as it was said earlier: action counts.
Therefore, I request those who are seated to stand up.
Move closer together, yes, move closer.
And I would like to ask everyone to hook arms with one another.
Please everyone.
Don’t worry, humans do not bite.
Please everyone, link your arms.
This is the symbolic gesture that expresses what we feel today – beyond our intellect.
We truly are ONE family.
Now feel the presence left and right. Feel inwardly and close your eyes.
Realize: Next to me stands a human being.
Not a Sikh, not a Hindu, not a Muslim, not a German, not someone with a migration background, not someone tall or short.
We try to feel it: It's simply a human being.
We have come to this world to unite, as the wisdom of Sikhi says.
The Sikhi way of life is based on spiritual wisdom revealed to over 30 enlightened ones.
Wisdom always reminds us how to become truly human.
I become human by becoming a human in my heart.
And the inner always radiates outward.
Without peace in the heart, there is no peace outside.
Without righteousness in the heart, justice is not possible outside.
So today, we have come together to remind ourselves:
What connects us as humans?
Very, very much.
We all came into this world the same way, and we will leave it the same way.
If we recall this in everyday life – in relationships, with our children, in our professions, more humanity will emerge.
Later, at the conclusion of this event, we will once again recite these beautiful verses from the wise Gur Gobind Singh:
Maanas Ki Jaate Sabhai Ekai Paihechaanbo.
ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ ॥
If you can remember this one verse, you are incredibly smart.
You are all welcome to sing along.
I say it again:
Maanas Ki Jaate Sabhai Ekai Paihechaanbo.
ਮਾਨਸ ਕੀ ਜਾਤਿ ਸਬੈ ਏਕੈ ਪਹਿਚਾਨਬੋ ॥ (DG, Akal Ustat, 16)
Thank you very much!

Mayor Dr. Eskandari-Grünberg, who served as patron of the event, expressed her appreciation for the spirit of cooperation among the religious communities in Frankfurt. Credits: Zentrum Ökumene

Cooperation partners of the multi-religious gathering. Credits: Zentrum Ökumene