Many of the people killed and injured in Solingen were liberals and progressives, writes Rmx News.
After a Syrian Islamist killed three people and injured eight others, including four severely, in Solingen, it emerged that at least the victims of the murder were “liberal-minded,” and at least one of them belonged to a pro-migrant organization.
Given that the murders took place at the Diversity Festival, it is not surprising that many of the victims are associated with left-wing organizations dedicated to progressive causes, such as openness to refugees. According to the German Focus magazine, these organizations promoted “peaceful coexistence” with people and cultures from different backgrounds.
The suspected attacker, identified as 26-year-old Islamist Issa Al H., was supposed to be deported in 2022, but instead he was granted protected status after six months of hiding.
Among the fatalities was Ines W., whose husband was also seriously injured. The woman was a pharmacist and a member of the OTV canoeists, who campaigned for the integration of foreigners. According to the German newspaper Rheinische Post, she attended the Diversity Festival because it was “very important to her.”
Also among the fatal victims was 67-year-old Stefan S., who worked at the Oetelshofen lime works in Wuppertal, and colleagues said they were “deeply shaken by the loss of their long-serving colleague.”
They described him as “a liberal, educated man who wanted to understand all sides. It was logical for him, as a cosmopolitan person, to visit the Solingen ‘Diversity Festival'” – writes Rheinische Post.
Till Iseke, the managing director, wrote in the obituary for the victim, “Dear Stefan, you were our colleague and friend, a person who not only thought but lived by values such as openness and tolerance. The fact that you suffered fatal injuries in a heinous attack at a peaceful festival shocks, angers, and saddens us.”
As for the third victim, Florian H., he lived in Düsseldorf and worked in Solingen, but little information was released about him. However, neighbors described him as a “rock and roller” guy who had long hair and loved to play the guitar.
Among the injured were members of the Cobra cultural association in Solingen, including members of the board. The association is not political but organizes live events and concerts in the city.
“We are still shocked by the events on Friday evening. We feel deep sadness for the deceased and great sympathy for their families,” the group wrote on Facebook. The cultural association declined to comment further.
Officials said many of the victims were now on the path to recovery, despite initially suffering serious injuries in the attack.
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