Germany Bans Islamic Centre Hamburg Over Alleged Extremism
The country’s interior ministry said on Wednesday that it has imposed a ban on the centre and its subsidiary organization, claiming that it had pursued radical Islamist goals.
The announcement came as the German police raided 53 of the organization’s premises early on Wednesday. German police say that acted based on a court order.
The raided premises include centres in cities other than Hamburg, such as Frankfurt, Berlin, and Munich.
"Today, we banned the Islamisches Zentrum Hamburg, which promotes an Islamist-extremist, totalitarian ideology in Germany," claimed Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.
The ministry also said that the centre has been supporting Lebanon’s Hezbollah resistance movement which is banned in Germany.
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The German ban will result in the closure of four Shia mosques in the country, including the iconic Imam Ali Mosque which is one of the oldest in Germany completed in 1965.
The Islamic centre has faced attacks for months by anti-Iranian groups and those opposing the Islamic Republic. Incidents include physical assault on the 71-year-old head of the centre, burning of the Quran in front of the mosque, and verbal insults against Ahl al-Bayt (AS).
None of these actions have been prevented or condemned by the German government.
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The Islamic Centre of Hamburg is one of Germany's important and historic Islamic centers, established the support of Ayatollah Boroujerdi.
It has published magazines in German and Persian and provided consulting services for the Shias of Hamburg. The centre also boasts a library with over 6,000 titles on various Islamic and Shia subjects.
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