Christmas is usually magical in Germany, with a sense of joy, celebration, and building communities.
Christmas markets are an essential part of German Christmas culture. “As a German American, I always loved to bite into the hand-cooked Christmas bakeries and perhaps have one or sometimes more of the famous hot wine or a good cold German beer.”
This famous market was always peaceful and a great place to take your entire family to. This is not so in the City of Magdeburg, where the word of the right-wing radical political movement AfD has the most followers and the majority of seats in its local government. The famous Magdeburg Christmas market turned into a scene of terror after 7.03 pm (19.03) German time.
The investigation is still in its early stages, so many details are in the air, with many news outlets speculating.
For me, as a native German, it’s ashaming and shocking to see internet postings not only from those offering prayers and support but some instead, blame games and labels being thrown around:
- Some in the anti-Israeli crowd are calling the attacker a “Zionist” and “pro-Israel, anti-Islamist.”
- Others are calling the perpetrator a far-right AfD-supporting terrorist.
And there’s talk that the mainstream media is trying to hide his identity.
What happened in the Magdeburg in the State of Sachen-Anhalt?
A dark-colored BMW crashed through barriers and drove straight into shoppers at 7:04 pm local time (Dec. 20). The attack resulted in two fatalities, including a small child.
A respected Saudi medical doctor turned into a German-hating terrorist and managed to get around a cement stopper meant to be put in place to protect the area of the Christmas Market and drove into the crowd of German Christians celebrating and enjoying the activities. He was arrested on the scene.
The Damage
The alleged attack killed two, and a minimum of 60 were injured, 15 severely. The alleged Saudi-Arabia attacker resided in Germany on an asylum visa.
The X account owned by the accused, Dr. Taleb Al Abdulmohsen revealed he belonged to Saudi Opposition and planned to kill Germans. The account was removed by X later.
After the attack, police sealed off the picture-perfect city center, also loved by many visitors every year. The Christmas market is next to the famous Magdeburg City Hall. The tram service was canceled in Magdeburg.
This terror attack sparked outrage not only for its brutality but also for the mainstream media’s handling of its coverage.
Who is the Alleged Terrorist?
Talib Al-Abdulmohsen, who has lived in Germany since 2006, was practicing medicine in Bernburg.
He was granted asylum in 2016 as a political refugee despite being wanted in Saudi Arabia for terrorism and human trafficking. Known for his work with asylum-seekers, he was respected in the Saudi exile community.
The 50-year-old terrorist who hated the Islamic religion was a Psychologist and worked for the Department of Corrections in Bernburg, south of Magdeburg. He mainly worked with drug-dependent prisoners.
He had a permanent resident permit in Germany because Saudi citizens are not granted asylum. He was fascinated by the mix of truth and fiction practiced by the AfD political party in Germany.
He was born in Saudi Arabia as a Muslim but became convinced that Islam and also all other religions, including Christianity, were wrong. He became an ex-Muslim. He broke under the pressure of the Saudi Government in regards to him denouncing Islam. He accepted this low-paying job in Germany over many high-paying opportunities in his home country and left the Kingdom.
His hate against Islam became greater, judging from his many social media posts. On the day of the attack, he made the German Nation responsible for the death of Sokrates. He also posted the German government was a crime gang, and wanted to punish Germany for accepting more and more Islamic citizens.
It was not an Islamic attack, but exactly the opposite.
Authorities confirmed he acted alone, with no further danger to the city.
In August, he posted in Arabic saying that if Germany wanted war with him, they could have it.
Condemnation
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation and expressions of solidarity.
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his thoughts for the victims and their families.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the attack “atrocious” and offered support to Germany.
- The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack as “heinous” and stood with the victims.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack; the suspect’s mental state and political views are being considered. No explosive devices were found in the suspect’s car.
Security experts believe the suspect may suffer from psychological issues combined with political radicalization.
Associated Press posted an article on social media, saying that “a car has driven into a group of people…” Many criticize that this implies that “a car” drove by itself, not a person. This is akin to one saying, “a gunshot a group of people.”
People are saying that this is to protect the Saudi, previously asylum-seeker, minority.
Germany refused to extradite him, citing human rights violations.
The X account belonging to the alleged attacker was deleted in the meantime but active at the time before the attack and was pledging to kill Germans.
It showed a gun and mentioned the Saudi Military opposition.
