The German government has taken decisive action by banning the Hamburg-based organization, the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH), and its affiliated suborganizations across the country. This move comes after a series of police raids on 53 properties in Germany, following an investigation that began in November.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that the ban was imposed based on evidence gathered during the investigation, which confirmed serious suspicions against the IZH. The organization has been accused of promoting an Islamist-extremist ideology in Germany and providing support to the Hezbollah militant group in Lebanon. Faeser emphasized that the IZH and its sub-organizations have been actively spreading aggressive antisemitism.
The German Interior Ministry alleged that the IZH acts as a direct representative of Iran's 'Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution,' disseminating the ideology of the Islamic Revolution in a militant manner with the aim of inciting a similar revolution within Germany.
The IZH, which operates a mosque in Hamburg, has been under surveillance by Germany's domestic intelligence agency for an extended period. In response to the ban, the IZH had previously stated that it condemns violence and extremism, advocating for peace, tolerance, and interreligious dialogue.
As a result of the ban, four Shiite mosques in Germany will be closed, and the assets of the IZH are being confiscated by the authorities. The German government's actions reflect a firm stance against organizations promoting extremist ideologies and supporting terrorist groups, signaling a commitment to safeguarding national security and countering radicalization within the country.
