Attack on the mosque in Hannover.

The authorities initiate an investigation into politically motivated crime against the Muslim community.

On Tuesday evening, unknown individuals attacked and vandalized the central mosque of the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DITIB) in Hannover, spraying slogans such as "PKK" and "Fuck Turkey" on the external wall of the structure. Additionally, a glass door was defaced with the word "Kurdistan". According to a statement from the Hannover police department's press service, the attack has been classified as a politically motivated crime and public safety authorities have initiated an investigation.

<Attacks on mosques are not isolated incidents. Last May, a restaurant located near a mosque in Hannover was targeted in an arson attack. Subsequently, several mosques in Lower Saxony received threat letters from far-right extremists linked to NSU 2.0. Eleven mosques have received threat letters since 2022, but investigators believe that it is always the same author, although the suspected sender has not yet been identified.

The Muslim community is concerned about these attacks. In the first six months of this year, 258 Islamophobic crimes targeting Muslims or mosques were recorded, of which 134 occurred in the second quarter, as reported by federal government sources.

Attacks against mosques and the Muslim community are unacceptable and must be strongly condemned. It is important that security authorities take determined action to identify those responsible for these crimes and ensure that the Muslim community can freely exercise their right to practice their religion without fear of attacks. Additionally, it is crucial that society as a whole commits to combating Islamophobia and promoting inclusion and respect for cultural and religious diversity.

Editorial Team