Searches at the Islamic Center of Hamburg

On November 15, the German police conducted an operation at the Islamic Center of Hamburg, raising concerns about a possible link to the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. According to the Ministry of the Interior, this operation was carried out to counter Islamist propaganda and anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement.

Suspected ties to the Lebanese organization Hezbollah

The recent operation by the German police at the Islamic Center of Hamburg and five affiliated groups has raised concerns about a possible link to the Lebanese organization Hezbollah. According to the Ministry of the Interior, these actions were taken to counter Islamist propaganda and anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli incitement.

The Islamic Center of Hamburg was founded several decades ago by Iranians and is considered an extension of the Iranian regime and its ties to Lebanese Hezbollah. German media have highlighted that the center has long been under scrutiny by German security services, who have classified it as an organization with extremist orientations that violate the country's constitutional principles.

The Mosque of Imam Ali was built between 1960 and 1965 in Hamburg on the Outer Alster (Uhlenhorst), following the tradition of the homonymous building in Iraq. It is the fourth oldest mosque in Germany. The builder and sponsor of the Shiite mosque is the “Islamisches Zentrum Hamburg” (IZH). The prayer hall can accommodate up to 1,500 people. Women usually pray in the inner circle of the prayer hall.

The action by the German police represents a clear commitment to counter extremism and protect the safety of citizens. These measures aim to ensure that Islamist propaganda and incitement to hatred have no place in the country. Interior Minister Nancy Wieser emphasized that at a time when many Jews feel threatened, Germany will not tolerate such forms of propaganda.

The issue of national security is an increasingly sensitive topic in Europe, particularly after the terrorist attacks in recent years. Many European countries are seeking to find the right balance between the security of their citizens and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms. While police operations like the one conducted in Germany may be necessary to ensure public safety, it is important that they are carried out with respect for human rights.

Furthermore, the issue of Islamist extremism is not limited to Germany but is a global problem. Many countries are working together to counter this threat through information sharing and increased international cooperation. However, combating extremism also requires a long-term approach that addresses the root causes of radicalization.

Other centers searched

The operation by the German police at the Islamic Center of Hamburg and five affiliated groups has raised significant questions about national security and the challenges that many European countries face in countering extremism. In Hamburg, the police also visited the German Islamic Academy and an association of supporters of an Iranian Islamic mosque. Police officers also raided the headquarters of the Salman Farsi Mosque Association in Langenhagen, Lower Saxony, as well as the Islamic Association of Bavaria in Munich and the Shia Islamic Community Association in Berlin.

Editorial