From Eritrea to a German ‘sanctuary church’

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Salih didn’t want to join the army as he was supposed to and was forced to flee his home in Eritrea. Just like thousands of his countrymen and women, he travelled across the Mediterranean ending up in Germany. Salih is a Muslim, but now lives in a church in Berlin, unsure of when he might leave and of the country that he might walk out into. After allowing over a million asylum seekers into Germany, there has been a huge shift in the political mood, and the country wants to close the door. Many Germans feel they have done their bit and taken enough people in. Plus political pressure from the far right means many refugees could be sent home. Germany is witnessing a major political upheaval and migration is at the centre of it, and far right groups advocating for the refugees to be sent home are gaining support. At the same time, churches in the country are giving refugees sanctuary knowing that state cannot enter their buildings to remove them. The Samaritans involved are being accused of making their own political statement and not simply carrying out their Christian duty. (Photo: Migrants in Germany, Credit: Getty Images)