Michel Abdollahi: About courage and the fight against social division

Michel Abdollahi: About courage and the fight against social division

Cologne, October 31, 2025. Something is brewing in German society: The journalist and presenter Michel Abdollahi will put his finger deep in the wound at the upcoming event at the Einstein High School in Angermünde on November 5, 2025. Under the motto "It is our country. We must not leave Germany to the right" he will talk about the social division and the challenges of everyday racism. He is accompanied by Carla Kniestedt, an experienced journalist and former RBB presenter. The event, which begins at 7:30 p.m., is not only a highlight for those interested in politics, but also a central component of the federal program “Live Democracy!”, which has been funded since 2015.

But what is it actually about? Abdollahi, known for his astute analysis, calls for a change of perspective in his new book “It is our country”. People should turn from passive spectators into active designers of democracy. He uses personal experiences and political observations. For him, “two hands” is an impressive image: one living hand symbolizes democracy, while the other, as a skeleton, represents the erosion caused by the shift to the right, represented by parties like the AfD. Abdollahi warns against watching the ideology of the shift to the right in silence, as this could lead to self-destruction. These issues are in the context of a broad division in society that is characterized by hatred and violence, as a recent study about the divided middle shows.

Hate as a test for our society

Hatred and violence not only threaten to poison political discussions, but also cause bridges between different social groups to collapse. Populists use fears and prejudices to undermine trust in existing institutions. In his discussions, Abdollahi reflects that hate often arises from disappointment and fear. “It is important to understand the reasons for this,” he emphasizes, emphasizing that a dialogic approach is fundamental to strengthening this society.

A central problem is the so-called “legal pressure” in our society, a gradual process that many citizens are often not aware of. Abdollahi calls for political education as a crucial means of promoting democratic participation and strengthening cohesion: “Political education must deal with the divisions in society.” It is important to create inclusive offerings and recognize diversity as valuable in order to overcome polarization.

The role of institutions and funding programs

The “Living Democracy!” program is implemented by the Barnim Uckermark Community Foundation in the Uckermark. This programmatic framework aims to support local projects and distribute funding. The community foundation cooperates with various partners such as the German Children's Fund or the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, which is considered a central provider of democracy promotion and has supported more than 2,500 projects since 1998. The need for these programs is also made clear by the current social situation, which is characterized by the brutalization of political debates and increasing violence.

Abdollahi also deals with his own biography and reflects on the political orientation and history of the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, whose founder, Anetta Kahane, made an important contribution to German democracy as chairwoman of the board until 2015. Such discussions are crucial because they help to create understanding for the complex issues of political and social division.

The event on November 5th is not just a reading, but a call to everyone to actively support our democracy. Admission is free, but registration is required - so get to the keys! It will be exciting to see how Abdollahi and Kniestedt will rouse the audience to work together for a democratic and open Germany.