Rally on the occasion of World Refugee Day

On Tuesday, 20 June, World Refugee Day, interested parties are invited to a rally for a humane right to asylum and for the reception of refugees at Neumarkt from 2 pm to 6 pm. The association AGIUA e. V. is organising this with the City of Chemnitz's migration officer, Etelka Kobuß, as well as other organisations - refugee associations, religious communities, migrant organisations and other interest groups.

A market of opportunities will provide information about flight and asylum, individual discussions will be possible, first-hand accounts of fates will be given and solidarity with those affected will be promoted. Guests learn first-hand about the causes of flight, flight, asylum and integration. At the same time, by taking part and being present, they are sending a signal in favour of a fair, people-oriented refugee policy.

In addition to advice centres and refugee work services, various religious communities are also on board this time.

On the one hand, religious organisations make an important contribution to the care of refugees. The principle of refugee policy to protect the stranger has its roots in religious texts and traditions of all religions. However, religious communities also play an important role in integrating people into the new society and building bridges between them and the locals.

When refugee crises have been resolved, it has been because people have shown solidarity with others. Solidarity is a fundamental value when it comes to protecting refugees, but also when it comes to one's own faith. That is why it was important to us as organisers to explicitly involve faith communities this time.

On the other hand, religious persecution is one of the oldest reasons for flight in human history. If religious and ethnic affiliation coincide, this can lead to the persecution of entire population groups. In any case, religion can play a major role in integration. The people who come to Germany are uprooted. Many are traumatised, have lost family members while fleeing, they miss the sounds, smells and habits of their homeland. Religion is the bridge that connects the old world with the new.

"Solidarity with the refugees, but also among the refugee helpers themselves, should take centre stage on this day, regardless of religious affiliation or not," says Gregor Freytag from the Comparti project of the AGIUA e. V. association. "We cannot end the conflicts, wars or displacement. But we can help the people who are suffering the consequences through no fault of their own. We can take action on their behalf and show them that we stand by their side. And we can clearly name the grievances that lead to war, flight and violence against refugees."

The event is being promoted and organised by a broad alliance of Chemnitz civil society. The following are currently involved: AGIUA e.V.AJZ Streetwork, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Amnesty International, Chemnitz, Aufstehen gegen Rassismus Chemnitz, AWO Migrationsprojekte, Bahá'í Community in Chemnitz, Caritasverband, Chemnitzer Brücke, Human Aid Collective, Iranian Women, Jüdische Gemeinde, Kirchenbezirk Chemnitz / Flüchtlingsarbeit, Kurdische Initiative, LSVD, Masjid, Migrationsbeauftragte der Stadt Chemnitz, Migrationsbeirat, Muslimische Wohlfahrtspflege, Netzwerk für Kultur und Jugendarbeit, Sächsischer Flüchtlingsrat / save me, Stadtteilpiloten and UNICEF.

World Refugee Day on 20 June is a fixed day in the annual calendar that reminds us that millions of people are forced to leave their homes. There are currently more than 100 million people on the run - the largest number of displaced persons ever recorded.