Christmas is now a target. As more information comes in about the perpetrator of the Christmas market attack on the German city of Magdeburg that left several people dead and over a hundred injured, this will remain the lasting conclusion. In some of the oldest Christian nations in Europe, it is no longer safe to celebrate Christmas in public. I wonder what the reaction would be if Muslims in the Middle East would have to cancel Ramadan due to fears that a migrant – regardless of the motivation – could try to kill them during the holiest time of the year. Without a doubt, the people would call for limits on migration in order to re-establish a sense of security.
The same is true for Germany, and Western Europe more general. Despite all the moral finger-waging by Brussels, Berlin, and Paris towards the more nationalist governments in Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, there appears to be an obvious reason why these countries do not need to turn Christmas markets into something resembling a permanent security line at an airport, including the frisking of elderly ladies for pocket knives they might cut an apple with.
In 2023, German authorities registered 761 gang rapes – almost two every single day. This is a crime category that was basically non-existent until the beginning of mass migration in 2015. Almost none such crimes are registered in Prague, Budapest, or Warsaw. It is also no coincidence that the Israeli football team has to play its European games in the Hungarian city of Debrecen, because the security of Jewish athletes can no longer be guaranteed in Western Europe. The Israeli participant in the 2024 Eurovision song contest in Malmö was told not to leave her hotel room due to the risk of being lynched by a pro-Palestinian mob outside. And in 2020 the French teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded for showing some caricatures critical of Islam.
Jews, athletes, teachers, and Christmas market goers. It appears that whoever catches the eye of certain segments of the migrant population from the Middle East and North Africa has to fear for his life.
Germany’s approach to migration must change. An individual with a migrant background—who arrived in Germany in 2006—perpetrated an act of unspeakable violence, killing five and injuring over 200. This isn’t merely a crime, it is an indictment of a negligent immigration policy that has repercussions not only for the victims but for society as a whole.
As authorities scramble to make sense of the motives behind such violence, there has been a concerted effort to reshape the narrative, suggesting the perpetrator’s alignment with far-right ideologies. At the centre of this incident is the main suspect, a 50-year-old Saudi national and psychotherapist named Taleb Al Abdulmohsen.
Rather than acting as a “lone wolf,” he would be more accurately described as a “known wolf.” Saudi authorities had repeatedly warned their German counterparts about Abdulmohsen’s online threats to kill Germans. He also actively reached out to prominent ex-Muslims, such as Yasemine Mohammed and Ali Utlu, leading them to suspect he might be an agent for Saudi Arabia, disguising himself as a victim while monitoring dissidents. They noted his behaviour suggested he was targeting female ex-Muslims who had fled. Additionally, Abdulmohsen reached out to German-Egyptian critic Hamed Abdel-Samad, urging him to distance himself from a secular refugee support organisation, claiming he would soon take action that would bring significant media attention. A Saudi woman even warned authorities via email about Abdulmohsen’s intent to “kill 20 Germans” in connection with feelings of injustice related to another Saudi woman’s case. Unfortunately, she mistakenly contacted a police station in Berlin, New Jersey, instead of Berlin, Germany.
Initial media portrayals painted Abdulmohsen as an activist opposing the Saudi government, advocating for women’s rights, and aiding refugees. However, testimonies from those who interacted with him suggest he targeted female ex-Muslims, undermining the narrative of support. Further investigation by the German weekly Der Spiegel indicated Abdulmohsen had sympathies for the Alternative for Germany (AfD), Elon Musk, and UK activist Tommy Robinson, leading some to conclude an Islamist motive was unlikely.
However, it raises questions about why an atheistic ex-Muslim would target families at a Christmas market, especially near the anniversary of a similar attack in Berlin eight years prior. The lack of action from German authorities in light of Saudi warnings is also concerning; a state that swiftly addresses criticisms of government officials seemingly ignored a man openly expressing intent to kill Germans. Some discussions have centred around the concept of Taqqiye, a doctrine that allows for concealing one’s faith, suggesting he may have been playing a deceptive role.
As evidence continues to be gathered, this case does not fit the usual patterns of Islamic terror nor that of a right-wing extremist. Is he a rogue Saudi agent who decided to follow his own agenda? Or is this the tragic outcome of a disturbed individual whose motivations will remain a mystery?
One undeniable truth has emerged: In one of the oldest Christian regions, families are no longer safe at Christmas markets. Therefore, the attempts to downplay the serious migrant element in this tragedy do not align with the facts. The individual in question, reportedly from Saudi Arabia, had asylum and citizenship, yet still chose to inflict pain during a cherished communal celebration on the very people who took him in and the very country that refused to extradite him to Saudi Arabia.
We must question the safety of Christmas markets across Europe, where joy has transformed into fear. The disparity in policing practices starkly highlights the failures of German authorities. A climate of overzealous scrutiny on the general population contrasts sharply with the lack of attention given to those with known, potentially violent tendencies within certain migrant communities. This double standard is reminiscent of past failures regarding serious criminal matters in the UK, where grave misconduct and violence were overlooked due to the identities of those involved.
Moreover, there is a pervasive misunderstanding of the changing social dynamics within Germany. With increased migration, we have witnessed a troubling rise in specific crime categories—acts of violence that were rarely seen two decades ago. The changes in the fabric of our society, while enriching in many ways, have also led to heightened fears for public safety.
The upcoming elections in Germany will likely reflect a public increasingly aware of these threats and demanding substantive change. Issues of migration and national safety are now at the forefront of public discourse. As conversations continue surrounding the balance of multiculturalism and community safety, it is vital that we do not simply swap one narrative for another. The challenge lies not just in addressing past failures, but in ensuring a safer future for all citizens.
If we are to move forward, it is essential to engage honestly and critically with the underlying issues that shape our society. In doing so, we can hope to reclaim not just the joy of our holidays but the security and peace that every citizen deserves.
Is it time for Neo-Imperialism?