Germany remembers victims of 1992 Molln arson attack

MOLLN, Gemany

Germany remembered on Thursday the victims of the 1992 Molln racist arson attack with an event held by the Turkish community.

The event, organized to condemn racism and ensure that the memories of the victims endure, saw the participation of the Arslan family, Molln Mayor Ingo Schaeper, Consul General of Türkiye in Hamburg Emine Derya Kara, and a number of residents of Molln.

On Nov. 23 in 1992, Turkish citizen Bahide Arslan and her two granddaughters Yeliz Arslan and Ayse Yilmaz died after firebombs were thrown into their home by neo-Nazis.

Nine others were injured in the attack, which sparked fears among the Turkish immigrant community. ​​​​​​​

Addressing the gathering in Kurpark, Kara said that even after 31 years, the pain of the tragic attack remains palpable.

She emphasized the importance of remembering such heinous events which have left lasting scars on the society, adding that "it is crucial for all of us to remember and not forget such tragic events that have deeply wounded our society to prevent similar attacks in the future."

Faruk Arslan, the son of Bahide Arslan, said that his pain is still fresh, just like 31 years ago.

"I have been living in Germany for 53 years, and I am deeply saddened. For 30 years, I have been carrying a heavy black stone in my heart, and I cannot rid myself of it," he said.

Emphasizing that they never want hatred and violence in the future, Arslan said: "We want to live together in peace and harmony. That is our primary goal."