Dialogue of religions in Aachen

Peace in the city: religions cultivate dialog

Aachen is multi-religious. All world religions, but also other faith communities, have their place in the imperial city. What all religions have in common is the pursuit of peace and understanding. This ethical commonality is the focus of all attempts to promote the peaceful coexistence of cultures and religions in Aachen.

Religion can make an important contribution to promoting integration. The representatives of the religions can build bridges, mediate and promote each other - in their communities and among themselves. Religious communities are important points of contact, offering support and orientation in social, cultural and religious issues. For this reason, interreligious dialog is of great importance for the coexistence of people of different religions and cultures.

We talk to each other -
to get to know each other,
and to communicate,
and to find out together
how we can make living together in Aachen
a positive experience.

Source: Quote from the meeting of the Dialogue of Religions in Aachen on September 13, 2007

The "Dialogue of Religions" working group

The "Dialogue of Religions" working group was founded in November 2005 as a working group of representatives of religious communities and the City of Aachen's integration commissioner.

It represents a broad spectrum of the members involved in the working group: in addition to the Catholic, Protestant and Free Protestant churches, the Greek, Russian and Coptic Orthodox churches, the Alevi community, the Baha'i community, the Jewish community, the Hindu community, the Quakers, the Muslim communities (Sunni and Shia) as well as Buddhist communities, the city of Aachen and the non-governmental organization "Religions for Peace" are also part of the dialogue. This documents the readiness and willingness of all participants to approach each other, to work out common values, to accept the values of other cultures, but also to recognize differences.

Understanding at local level

The members strive for understanding at a local level. They get to know the other religious communities with mutual respect in many encounters and look for concrete fields of action together in order to promote the coexistence of people of different religions in our city. Dialogue on an equal footing is an important prerequisite for successful work.

Many forms of togetherness

Dialogue in Aachen takes many forms: joint discussions in everyday life, encounters at work and in the neighbourhood, discussion rounds on the various religions and cultures and the associated lifestyles of migrants, joint events such as the Aachen Peace Banquet and participation in the Day of Integration, conferences by representatives of religious communities or theologians, guided tours of the city's own sacred buildings and shrines, joint social projects, themed evenings and cooperation in interfaith organizations.

Members of the Dialogue of Religions working group

• City of Aachen (Integration Officer)
• Alevi community Aachen
• Baha'i community Aachen
• Christian International League Aachen
• DITIB Turkish-Islamic Community / Yunus Emre Mosque
• Protestant Student Community Aachen
• Protestant-Korean community
• Protestant Church District of Aachen
• Parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Aachen
• Greek Orthodox parish in Aachen
• Hindu community Aachen
• Islamic Center Aachen Bilal Mosque e. V.
• Islamic Community BiH Aachen e. V. (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
• Islamic Association Aachen e. V. (Shiites)
• Jewish Community Aachen
• Catholic University Community (KHG)
• Catholic Church, Aachen City Region of the Diocese of Aachen, Office of the Regional Deans
• Catholic parish of St. Joseph and Corpus Christi
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Coptic Orthodox Church
• Nyanaponika (Buddist community)
• Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Aachen
• Religions for Peace (RfP) Aachen
• RWTH Aachen
• Wat Dhammaniwasa - Thai Buddhist Community Städteregion Aachen e.V.
• Center for Tibetan Buddhism e. V.
• Zen Center Bamboo Grove

Religions in Aachen

Further topics