Germany has banned the Hamburg Islamic Centre, citing its alleged support for Lebanon’s Hezbollah group and links to Iran.
The ban, announced on Wednesday, has drawn sharp criticism from Tehran, which summoned Germany’s ambassador to protest what it termed a “hostile action” and “clear example of Islamophobia”.
Germany’s Interior Ministry accused the centre of masquerading as a purely religious organisation while pursuing political objectives contrary to the country’s constitution.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated, “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.”
The ministry’s statement outlined serious allegations against the centre, saying it “is an Islamist extremist organisation pursuing anti-constitutional objectives.” It further accused the group of being a “direct representative of Iran’s supreme leader” and spreading Tehran’s ideology “in an aggressive and militant manner.”
As part of the crackdown, German authorities raided 53 properties allegedly linked to the centre across the country. The ban extends to several related organisations, including four Shiite mosques.
The Hamburg Islamic Centre, which runs the prominent Imam Ali Mosque (also known as the Blue Mosque), has been under surveillance by German intelligence for some time. Founded by Iranian immigrants in 1953, it had been the subject of calls for closure due to its alleged ties to Iran.
Iran’s response was swift and furious. The Iranian foreign ministry condemned the ban, stating, “What happened in Germany today is a clear example of Islamophobia and a confrontation to the teachings of the Abrahamic religions.” It praised the “valuable and unforgettable services of Islamic centres, including the Hamburg Islamic Centre, in explaining the religious teachings of Islam, promoting the principle of dialogue and religious tolerance, as well as combating extremism.”
The ban comes amid Germany’s ongoing efforts to combat anti-Semitism and extremism. In 2020, the country banned Hezbollah from carrying out activities on its soil, designating it a “Shiite terrorist organisation.”
Hamburg’s regional government welcomed the federal decision, with state interior minister Andy Grote describing it as “a real blow against Islamist extremism.”
