Prohibition of the Islamic Center Hamburg: A look at the background

Prohibition of the Islamic Center Hamburg: A look at the background

Hamburg/Berlin (dpa) - The planned closure of the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) causes discussions and raises questions about the effects on the local community. The ban was suspected that the IZH acts as a platform for the influence of the Iranian regime in Germany. This decision was made on Wednesday, November 16, 2023, when 54 objects were searched across Germany.

effects on the community

The IZH serves many Shiite Muslims as a central religious point of contact. Numerous prayer and educational offers take place here for decades. When the ban finally comes into force, the question arises as to what is done with the building and the club's assets. There are already voices from the Hamburg Citizenship that require a changeover as a place of prayer for Shiite Muslims, but with the aim of excluding Tehran's influence.

criticism and support for the ban

Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD) explains that, according to the protection of the constitution, the IZH has a connection to extremist views. The background to this ban is not only the recognitions of anti -Semitic and anti -Israeli motifs within the association, but also demands of the Bundestag, which were already loud at the end of 2022, as a closure of the IZH was considered. Such measures are rarely taken, since religious institutions are usually subject to particularly high protection.

The new test field between faith and extremism

The moment when the ban was pronounced could also have been influenced by the increasing tensions in the Middle East. Connections between the IZH and the Iranian government are of great interest to the authorities, since the teachings of the IZH are strongly similar to the ideology of the Iranian regime. The protection of the constitution describes the IZH as important for the Iranian message in Germany.

association and its leadership

Mohammad Hadi Mofatteh, who has headed the IZH since 2018, is considered the central actor by Hamburg's constitutional protection, which is subject to the highest leader of Iran, Ajatollah Chamenei. His position makes him a relevant contact for questions of Iranian foreign policy in Germany. His predecessors and employees are suspected of similar, in particular the former deputy director, Seyed Mousavifar, who was expelled from Germany due to his connections to the Hisbollah.

Future of the association's assets

With the possible closure of the IZH, the question of the club's assets is also raised. If the ban becomes final, this would become the property of the federal government. A clear strategy of what should happen to the real value has not yet been determined. A final decision could still require deep considerations for use or redesign.

The status of the followers

Although there are no secure figures on the number of members of the IZH, it is known that not all visitors to the mosque can be viewed as part of the association. Many people of Iranian origin have clearly spoken out against Islamist ideologies and could personally be affected by the closing of the IZH.

This situation illustrates a broader problem about the interdependencies of religion and political extremism and raises fundamental questions about the future of intercultural dialogues. The discussion about the IZH will therefore not only affect the supporters there, but will also have an impact on the debate on the relationship between religion and state in Germany.

- Nag