The German Interior Ministry announced a ban on the Hamburg-based Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) on Wednesday. The organization is accused of being a significant Iranian propaganda hub in Europe and supporting Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. In connection with the ban, police raided dozens of properties across the country.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated, “Today we banned the ‘Islamic Center Hamburg,’ which propagates an Islamist, totalitarian ideology in Germany. The center and its sub-organizations support the terrorists of ‘Hizb Allah’ and spread aggressive anti-Semitism.” Faeser emphasized that the prohibition marks a decisive action against Islamist extremism in Germany.
Authorities have confirmed serious suspicions about the IZH, prompting the ban. The enforcement included searches of the IZH, the Imam Ali Mosque, and other locations in eight federal states. The statement noted that the IZH, representing the Iranian “revolutionary leader,” aggressively spreads the ideology of the “Islamic Revolution” in Germany.
Faeser clarified, “It is very important to me to make a clear distinction: We are not acting against a religion.” She added that the peaceful practice of the Shiite faith is not affected by the ban. As a result of the prohibition, four Shiite mosques will be closed.
There are an estimated 150 to 200 Shiite communities in Germany. Following the ban, a total of 53 properties in Hamburg, Bremen, Berlin, Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria were raided.
