JAKARTA - A symbol of inter-religious harmony was built in Berlin, Germany. The symbol is named after the House of One, a joint place of worship between Muslims, Jews and Christians. House of One materialized after ten years was just an idea.
Last Thursday, May 27, the religious leaders of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity laid the foundation stone for building the House of One together. Father Gregor Hohberg said the House of One is not only a house of peace for Muslims, Jews and Christians, but also people of other religions, even atheists.
The House of One is expected to be a space for human dialogue. German Parliament Speaker Wolfgang Schauble highly appreciates the House of One. "Realizing Gregor Hohberg's ideas requires faith in God and the involvement of wise people," said Schauble.
"Uniting three houses of God and three religions under one roof without creating chaos is a miracle," he added, as quoted by VOA Indonesia, Tuesday, June 1.
Berlin Mayor Michael Mueller gave a similar gesture of respect. According to him, the establishment of the House of One is important considering that humans now live in a connected world. "Because it is normal and important that dramatic world conflicts can be discussed in the German capital," Mueller said.
"And that people have a platform to highlight problems in their countries and express their opinions... But hate and violence, anti-Jews and Islamophobia, racism and incitement have no place in our society."
One house for three religions
During the event, religious leaders took turns leading the prayer. They are Priest Kadir Senci, Rabbi Andreas Nachama, and Pastor Gregor Hohberg.
The House of One was built on the site of the 13th-century church with the tallest tower in Berlin, the Petrikirche. The location is also known as the origin of the City of Berlin.
The church had stood and survived in various forms, until the East German communist government tore it down in 1964. If everything goes according to plan, the construction of the House of One will be completed within the next five years.
The House of One will be built in a stone and brick structure with a height of 40 meters. Its construction is estimated to cost 53.3 million US dollars.
A priest involved in the project, Osman Ors said the House of One has a very important meaning to him. Osman Ors said, so far many Muslims have been looking for places of worship in the center of Berlin, but they always failed to find them.
Father Gregor Hohberg complements the importance of the presence of the House of One. Especially if you look at the current situation in Germany and many other parts of the world.
In Germany, Islamophobia and anti-Jewish sentiment are at an all-time high. "It's always important to try to understand how other people perceive things by taking into account where they come from or what religion they believe in," Hohberg said.
"People benefit if there is dialogue. And that's what we are doing here," he added.
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