Tamara Al-Keilani -In crises, the smart build bridges and the stupid build walls."

At the recently concluded "Connected and Active" program (Vernetzt und Aktiv), Mrs. Tamara Al-Keilani delivered an impactful speech. She is the head of the “Kompetenzzentrum Migration des Paritätischen in Hamburg” and the leader of the Networked and Active project.

Mrs. Al-Keilani proceeded to introduce the Hamburg communities participating in the program. The "Nour Gemeinde" community, symbolized by the transformation of a church into a mosque, was commended for its outstanding work, including events, panel discussions, mosque tours, and more.

The speech emphasized that Muslim communities and Cem houses are open to everyone and are not isolated or parallel societies. Mrs. Al-Keilani then moved on to discuss the Alevi community of Bergedorf (BAKM 3), highlighting their youth and children's work, cultural festivals, and plans for a daycare center. She recognized the involvement of Bergedorf district politicians.

The speech praised the dedication and impact of individuals such as Daniel, Zara, and Hikmat within these communities. She acknowledged the emerging leaders in the audience, like Farida, who are passionate about making a difference.

The importance of collaboration between communities and organizations, independent of their beliefs or political stances, was emphasized. The significance of working together as a unified Hamburg team was highlighted.

The speech transitioned to the role of social work and communities in promoting social cohesion, especially amidst political debates at the federal and European levels.

The historical perspective on migration was discussed, considering Europe's colonial past and the impact of conflicts and immigration on societies.

The challenges posed by the influx of refugees and the need for support, including housing, psychosocial assistance, and integration into the job market, were stressed.

The speech also touched upon the challenges of limited agency and the tendency for refugees to be immobilized. The emergence of camps and their impact on social tensions was discussed.

The "all-Sweden" policy, which distributed asylum seekers across the country but presented challenges in finding jobs and housing, was mentioned.

The speech underscored the need for immigration and highlighted the potential for quicker integration by training refugees and migrants and teaching them the language.

Mrs. Al-Keilani discussed the role of communities and social organizations as bridge builders to assist newcomers.

She pointed out the cuts in the federal budget for non-governmental welfare services, expressing concerns about their negative impact on societal cohesion.

The speech encouraged a shift in perspective to see opportunities in the current situation, emphasizing the importance of the work carried out by communities.

It concluded with a Ghanaian proverb: "In crises, the smart build bridges and the stupid build walls."

In summary, Mrs. Tamara Al-Keilani's speech emphasized the significance of community and social work in promoting social cohesion in the face of migration challenges. She called for unity and collaboration, while highlighting the historical context and challenges surrounding migration.

Desmond John Beddy

https://www.beddy.de