A Muslim immigrant has been appointed “carnival prince” in Bonn, Germany, this year. It is a rare honour being hailed as a symbol for successful integration, reports the United Arab Emirates’ The National.

Amir Shafaghi, who moved to western Germany with his parents in 1980 after Iran’s Islamic revolution, was the city’s official master of ceremonies for the carnival celebrations that culminate today.

“Prince Amir I,” clad in a gold-embroidered costume with white tights and a feathered cap, held comic speeches at carnival balls and threw sweets to the crowds at festive processions, accompanied by his real-life partner, “Princess Uta.” For anyone passionate about celebrating carnival in Germany, being appointed “prince of fools” is the crowning achievement.

Carnival is an honoured folk tradition in the predominantly Catholic west and south of Germany, especially in the Rhineland towns of Cologne, Düsseldorf, Bonn and Mainz.

Although the festival and party season in Germany starts as early as the beginning of January, the actual carnival week starts on the Thursday ("Weiberfastnacht") before Ash Wednesday.

German Carnival parades are held on the weekend before and especially on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), the day before Shrove Tuesday, and sometimes also on Shrove Tuesday ("Faschingsdienstag") in the suburbs of larger carnival cities.

The carnival session begins each year on November 11 at 11:11 am and ends on Ash Wednesday with the main festivities happening around Rosenmontag. This time is also called the "Fifth Season."

“We wanted to show that the Bonn carnival isn’t just for people born here, and to invite everyone who has moved here to get involved,” Wilhelm Wester, a spokesperson for the city’s festival committee, said. “And that’s succeeded with Prince Amir’s help. He’s the embodiment of an open-minded person and we hope he will encourage other immigrants to embrace the tradition and celebrate with us.”

“I want to be remembered as the prince who did all he could to unite people of all colours and religions. Religion, profession and social status don’t matter in carnival,” concluded Shafaghi.