The ban on Iran-linked Islamic center raises questions about religious freedom.
The Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and several affiliated organizations have been ordered to cease their activities. On July 24, 54 locations across Germany were searched as part of this operation. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) explained the reasons behind her decision to ban the Hamburg mosque association and other Shiite Islamist organizations. Here are the key questions and answers surrounding this controversial move.
Reasons behind the ban
The IZH is considered a Shiite Islamist association by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV). According to intelligence assessments, the organization aims to spread Islamic teachings in line with the religious understanding of the Iranian leadership. The BfV regards the IZH as “the most important representation of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Germany” alongside the Iranian embassy.
In November 2022, the German Bundestag called on the federal government to examine “whether and how the Islamic Center Hamburg can be closed as a hub for the operations of the Iranian regime in Germany.” This parliamentary request highlights the growing concern about foreign influence on religious institutions within Germany.
Associations in Germany can be banned if their purposes or activities violate criminal laws, are directed against the idea of international understanding, or oppose the constitutional order. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the IZH meets all three criteria for prohibition.
Timing of the decision
Banning a religious association is a complex process, as it involves separating legitimate religious practices from extremist activities. Mosque associations are rarely banned in Germany. A notable exception was the Fussilet Mosque in Berlin, which was closed in 2017 due to its connections with Sunni extremists, including Anis Amri, the perpetrator of the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack.
On November 16, 2023, the Imam Ali Mosque in Hamburg and five other associated organizations were searched, with authorities seizing material that contributed to the decision to impose the ban. The timing of this action may also be related to the escalation of the Middle East conflict, in which the Iranian leadership has positioned itself against Israel both verbally and through the supply of weapons to allies.
Functions of the IZH
The IZH and its iconic Blue Mosque on the Alster river serve as a central religious hub for Shiite Muslims of various nationalities. For decades, the mosque has hosted regular prayer events and numerous religious celebrations. According to intelligence reports, the center also offers various educational programs, including Islamic religious instruction for children and language courses in Arabic, Farsi, and German.
Key representatives of the association
Mohammad Hadi Mofatteh has been the director of the IZH since August 2018. According to the Hamburg State Office for the Protection of the Constitution, he is considered a representative of the Iranian Revolutionary Leader in Europe. The latest Hamburg intelligence report describes Mofatteh as “a well-trained representative of the current regime in Tehran” with a family deeply embedded in Iran’s state-religious elite.
In late 2022, the deputy director of the IZH, Seyed Mousavifar, was expelled from Germany due to connections with the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. This action came after his appeal against the expulsion was rejected by the Hamburg Higher Administrative Court. It’s worth noting that the pro-Iranian terrorist organization Hezbollah has been banned in Germany since 2020.
Fate of the confiscated association assets
Once the ban becomes legally binding, the association’s assets will become federal property. However, the question of what the German state should do with a representative Islamic sacred building is not easily answered. This situation presents a unique challenge in balancing respect for religious spaces with national security concerns.
In the Hamburg City Parliament, which had called for the closure of the IZH across party lines, voices have already been raised to maintain the mosque as a place of prayer for Shiite Muslims. However, it is emphasized that Tehran’s influence on the facility must be excluded. This proposal reflects the complex interplay between religious freedom, community needs, and national security considerations.
IZH supporters in Germany
The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has not provided precise figures on the number of IZH supporters in Germany. This lack of concrete data stems from the difficulty in distinguishing between casual attendees of events or prayers at the Blue Mosque and actual members of the association. Moreover, many people of Iranian origin living in Germany are staunch opponents of Islamist ideology, further complicating any attempt to quantify the organization’s support base.
The ban on the Islamic Center Hamburg represents a significant move in Germany’s efforts to counter foreign influence and extremist ideologies. While aimed at protecting national security and constitutional values, this action also raises important questions about religious freedom, community integration, and the delicate balance between state intervention and respect for diverse faith practices in a multicultural society.
