26.07.2026 13:21
A sign showing Friday prayer times, installed 4 days ago at the entrance of the town of Penzberg in Bavaria, Germany, was vandalized with black paint. Benjamin Idriz, the caretaker of the Penzberg Mosque, stated that the target was not just the sign, saying, "This is just a half-meter piece of metal, but it bothers some people so much that they attack it with paint at night. What is really being targeted is religious freedom, mutual respect, and the idea of peaceful coexistence."
A sign indicating Friday prayer times, placed 4 days ago at the entrance of the town of Penzberg in Germany's Bavaria state, was vandalized with black paint.
ATTACKED WITH SPRAY PAINT
Unknown individuals painted the informative sign showing Friday prayer times in the town of Penzberg black.
Police announced that after municipal workers were informed, the sign was cleaned and made readable again.
An investigation has been launched against the unknown individuals for damaging public property.
"RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS THE TARGET"
Benjamin Idriz, the imam of the Penzberg Mosque, stated in a press release to German media that the target was not just the sign.
Idriz said: "This is just a half-meter piece of metal, but it bothers some so much that they attack it with paint at night. In reality, the target is religious freedom, mutual respect, and the understanding of peaceful coexistence."
Julian Lademann, pastor of the Penzberg Protestant Church, emphasized that the signs have been a symbol of the town's developing culture for years, and that the town embraces an understanding of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence despite different beliefs.
TO BE PLACED AT 3 MORE LOCATIONS
On July 21, the Penzberg Municipality placed a sign indicating Friday prayer times for Muslims next to signs showing service times for Catholic and Protestant churches at one of the town's entrances.
It was stated that the municipality plans to place similar informational signs at 3 more locations in the town, with costs to be shared jointly by religious communities.