Arnhem mayor praises community resilience after city center fire, ahead of Eid al-Fitr

In a message ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, Arnhem Mayor Ahmed Marcouch reflected on the devastating fire that struck the city center earlier this month. He praised the unity and support shown by the community in response to the incident.

“We needed each other greatly this past month,” Marcouch wrote. “Shaken by a major fire in our city center, we found one another as Arnhem residents in a spirit of brotherhood and stood by each other. We looked out for our fellow citizens and worked together to overcome this challenge. It has made us realize how essential it is to care for one another and to maintain and restore relationships—with our families, colleagues, and neighbors. The Holy Quran encourages us to do so.”

Marcouch’s message also looked ahead to other religious celebrations occurring around the same time, including the Jewish holiday of Passover and the Christian observance of Easter. “It promises to be a joyful period, in which we break bread together, celebrate our brotherhood, and engage in meaningful conversations,” he wrote.

Approximately 100 residents were evacuated, with many temporarily housed at Arnhem city hall. The fire caused widespread disruption, including power outages affecting around 150 shops and homes, while authorities continued to assess the damage and investigate the cause. The damage was described as leaving a visible scar across the city center.