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The German government imposed a ban on the Hamburg Islamic Centre and its affiliated organisations, accusing it of being an Islamist extremist group pursuing unconstitutional objectives and radical Islam.
Germany’s interior ministry, in a statement, said that it “banned the Hamburg Islamic Centre and its affiliated organisations throughout Germany to date, as it is an Islamist extremist organisation pursuing anti-constitutional objectives”.
It further said that the centre, which claims to be a purely religious organisation with no political agenda, is actually a “direct representative of Iran’s supreme leader” and spreads Tehran’s ideology “in an aggressive and militant manner”.
The ministry said that The Hamburg Islamic Centre is attempting to replace democracy with “authoritarian, theocratic rule” and supports the “military and political dimension” of organisations like Hezbollah.
Investigators on Wednesday searched 53 properties allegedly connected to the centre across Germany, and the ban will also apply to several related organisations, including four Shiite mosques.
Interior minister Nancy Faeser said that the action is not against a religion.
“I want to make it very clear: We are not taking action against a religion. We are drawing a clear distinction between the Islamist extremists that we are cracking down on and the many Muslims who belong to our country and live according to their faith. This ban absolutely does not apply to the peaceful practice of the Shiite religion,” said Faeser.
Germany classifies Hezbollah as a “Shiite terrorist organisation” and banned its activities on German soil in 2020.
The Hamburg Islamic Centre, which runs the Imam Ali Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, has been under surveillance by domestic intelligence for some time due to its alleged ties to Iran.
Authorities in November conducted extensive raids on the centre’s premises and other related sites across seven German states, securing “extensive evidence” that confirmed suspicions and led to the current ban.
Germany’s interior ministry, in a statement, said that it “banned the Hamburg Islamic Centre and its affiliated organisations throughout Germany to date, as it is an Islamist extremist organisation pursuing anti-constitutional objectives”.
It further said that the centre, which claims to be a purely religious organisation with no political agenda, is actually a “direct representative of Iran’s supreme leader” and spreads Tehran’s ideology “in an aggressive and militant manner”.
The ministry said that The Hamburg Islamic Centre is attempting to replace democracy with “authoritarian, theocratic rule” and supports the “military and political dimension” of organisations like Hezbollah.
Investigators on Wednesday searched 53 properties allegedly connected to the centre across Germany, and the ban will also apply to several related organisations, including four Shiite mosques.
Interior minister Nancy Faeser said that the action is not against a religion.
“I want to make it very clear: We are not taking action against a religion. We are drawing a clear distinction between the Islamist extremists that we are cracking down on and the many Muslims who belong to our country and live according to their faith. This ban absolutely does not apply to the peaceful practice of the Shiite religion,” said Faeser.
Germany classifies Hezbollah as a “Shiite terrorist organisation” and banned its activities on German soil in 2020.
The Hamburg Islamic Centre, which runs the Imam Ali Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque, has been under surveillance by domestic intelligence for some time due to its alleged ties to Iran.
Authorities in November conducted extensive raids on the centre’s premises and other related sites across seven German states, securing “extensive evidence” that confirmed suspicions and led to the current ban.
