Suspected racist’s brutal murder of Algerian lady in Germany sparks outrage
By Sabiu Abdullahi
The fatal stabbing of 26-year-old Rahma Ayad, an Algerian nursing trainee, in the German town of Arnum near Hanover has ignited protests and diplomatic conversations between Algeria and Germany.
Many are urging that the incident be treated as a racially motivated hate crime.Rahma was killed on the morning of 4 July in the stairwell of her apartment building.
According to German police and eyewitness reports, her screams were heard by neighbours who called emergency services. She was discovered with multiple stab wounds to her chest and shoulder.
Despite the rapid arrival of medical personnel, she succumbed to her injuries shortly afterward.A 31-year-old German man, who resided in the same building, was arrested later that day.
While he remains in custody, authorities have yet to officially confirm a motive or file formal charges.
Rahma’s family alleges that she had previously expressed concerns about her safety.
They claim she had been repeatedly harassed by her neighbour, particularly because of her Arab identity and choice to wear the hijab.
In an interview with Al-Araby TV, her mother revealed that Rahma had felt unsafe for months due to the neighbour’s behaviour, which reportedly included verbal abuse.
Algerian community activists in Germany echoed these concerns, stating that the suspect had a history of making derogatory remarks directed at Rahma.
They are now calling on authorities to treat the incident as a case of racist violence rather than dismissing it as a random act or linking it to mental instability.
The killing has sparked widespread protests across Germany.
On Tuesday, demonstrators gathered outside Rahma’s residence in Arnum, holding a rally to demand justice and draw attention to what they described as rising Islamophobia across Europe.
The protesters also criticised the muted response from German officials and the limited coverage the story received in mainstream media.
“If the killer had been a Muslim and the victim German, this would be headline news everywhere,” one protester told Al-Araby TV.
Another participant accused German authorities of applying justice “only selectively”.
The incident has stirred strong emotions online as well.
A user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “People travel to Europe for safety and a better life […] and they end up like this.”
Responding to the outcry, Algeria’s Secretary of State for National Community Abroad, Sofiane Chaib, held talks with the German ambassador in Algiers.
He described Rahma’s death as a “heinous crime” and called for greater protection of Algerians living in Germany.
In a related gesture, the Algerian consulate in Germany has committed to covering the expenses for transporting Rahma’s body back to Oran, where she will be laid to rest.