On March 6, 2025, we mark the 35th anniversary of the passing of Mahmud Azhar. We warmly invite you to join us in remembering him and taking a stand against forgetting racist violence. The commemoration will take place at 12 PM in the foyer of the Institute of Biochemistry at Thielallee 63.
Mahmud Azhar earned his doctorate in chemistry at the Institute of Biochemistry at Freie Universität Berlin, where he also worked as a research associate. On the evening of January 7, 1990, he was the victim of a racist attack in front of the former institute building in Berlin-Lichterfelde. The German perpetrator initially racially insulted him, prompting Azhar to flee into the building and attempt to contact the police—but his emergency calls went unanswered. The attacker entered the building, assaulted him, and brutally beat him. Only afterward did the police arrive. Mahmud Azhar was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to the direct consequences of the attack on March 6, 1990.
Remembering and Taking Responsibility
Racist violence is still often concealed, downplayed, or silenced today. In the case of Mahmud Azhar, it took a long struggle by his relatives and dedicated initiatives for the act to be recognized as racist. It was only in the spring of 2022 that the memorial plaque for him was transferred to the current institute building after having been invisible for a long time.
Mahmud Azhar is not an isolated case. Racist violence has a long history in Germany—including at universities. It has been and continues to be part of academic life and campus culture. It is up to all of us to keep the memory alive, to clearly name racist violence, and to take a firm stand against it.
No Forgiveness, No Forgetting!
Join us on March 6 for the commemoration event and take a stand against forgetting and for a vibrant culture of remembrance.
Further information can be found at: astafu.de/azhar
Working Group on the Commemoration of Mahmud Azhar