Germany outlaws mosque, religious group linked to Iran for supporting Hezbollah, spreading radical Islam

The German government landed a heavy blow against Islamism on Wednesday, by banning the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) and affiliated organizations, and for closing Hamburg’s famous Blue Mosque, as well as four other mosques across the country.

IZH has been in the crosshairs of Germany’s domestic intelligence service for decades over its close ties to the Iranian regime.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser explained the unusual decision to outlaw a religious institution, saying that the IZH “propagates an Islamist, totalitarian ideology in Germany. This Islamist ideology is directed against human dignity, against women's rights, against an independent judiciary and against our democratic state.”

“In addition, the ‘Islamic Centre Hamburg’ and its sub-organizations support the terrorists of ‘Hezbollah’ and spread aggressive anti-Semitism,” she added.

Germany has banned the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and currently taking action against the associated Blue Mosque in Hamburg.

It’s considered extremist and an arm of lslamic regime in Germany. pic.twitter.com/8qqXWPyBgT

— Azat (@AzatAlsalim) July 24, 2024

The police raided 53 objects across Germany belonging to the group, confiscating material and assets from Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin.

“We have thus put an end to the activities of these Islamists. This is another consistent step against Islamist extremism,” Faeser continued while stressing that the unusual move was not aimed against Muslims or Shia Muslims as such.

“We clearly distinguish between Islamists, against whom we take tough action, and the many Muslims who belong to our country and live their faith. The peaceful practice of Shiite faith and religion is expressly not affected by our ban,” Faeser said.

The Iranian regime summoned the German ambassador over the ban, while its foreign minister called the act “an example of Islamophobia [that] is in opposition to the teachings of the Abrahamic faiths,” adding that it violated freedom of expression and promoted violence and extremism.

After the Iranian Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani was eliminated by the U.S. in 2020, the IZH organized a memorial service attended by some 600 pro-regime Iranians, praising him as a martyr.

According to German media, the Blue Mosque is among the most important Shi’ite Muslim centers in Europe, having been established in 1953, long before the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

The domestic intelligence agency of the State of Hamburg has long categorized the IZH as Islamist and has been monitoring its activities since 1993. Hezbollah has been banned in Germany since 2020.

The press statement released by Germany’s Ministry of Interior explained that the IZH hides its support for Hezbollah, wanting to give the impression of being a tolerant and purely religious institution, without any political agenda or affiliation.”

“In fact, the investigations clearly show that the IZH does not just act in a religious manner. Rather, as the representative of the Iranian “Supreme Revolutionary Leader,” it consistently and categorically implements the political requirement to export the “Islamic Revolution.”

“In addition, a wide variety of activities by the IZH show that it supports and promotes the military-political dimension of the so-called “axis of resistance,” in particular the alliance with the terrorist ‘Hezbollah.’ This is done in full knowledge of the ideology and goals of ‘Hezbollah,’ in particular the ongoing armed struggle against the State of Israel,” the ministry stated.