Munich sees no need for new rules on religious celebrations in public spaces

Munich's District Administration Department (Kreisverwaltungsreferat) has rejected calls for a simplified approval procedure for religious celebrations held in the city's public spaces. It says its existing rules already allow such events to be assessed fairly and approved.

The request came in a motion dated 19 February 2026 from city councillor Thomas Lechner. He asked for a procedure to make it easier to approve religious celebrations that are explicitly open to all residents and that encourage intercultural encounters. In her reply, the head of the department, Dr Hanna Sammüller, said the council could not vote on the motion. The matter counts as ongoing administrative business and is therefore the responsibility of the Lord Mayor.

Dr Sammüller said Munich has followed an open, tolerant and legally sound approach to religious and intercultural events for years. She cited a Festival of Sacrifice celebration in Luitpoldpark in 2025 and another in Riemer Park in 2026. Both were approved and held successfully. She added that other events of this kind are regularly approved across the city.

The department rejected the motion's claim, as a general statement, that such events are treated restrictively. It said it was not aware of any blanket classification of Iftar invitations or similar celebrations as religious events for a specific group. Instead, every application is assessed individually, regardless of the religious community involved. Each one is judged on its specific arrangements and the relevant legal requirements.

Events on public roads and pavements are covered by the city's event guidelines. Applications are checked against general safety and highway criteria with attention to avoiding discrimination. Events in municipal parks fall under the Green Spaces Statute, which already lists religious events explicitly. This applies equally to Muslim, Hindu and other religious communities.

The department said it shares the motion's aim of strengthening community life in Munich and making religious diversity visible in public. It will continue to treat celebrations that are open to everyone by the same standards. Because the existing guidelines and statute already allow all applications from religious communities to be assessed reliably and favourably, it sees no need for additional regulation at present.