Germany bans Muslim group citing ‘extremism’, ties to Iran and Hezbollah
Al Jazeera
Berlin insists action against Islamic Center Hamburg not linked to ‘peaceful practice of the Shiite religion’.
Germany has outlawed a Muslim religious organisation it accuses of propagating “extremism” and supporting Iran and Hezbollah.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community announced the ban on the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and its national affiliates on Wednesday, calling its mission “anti-constitutional”.
“Today, we banned [IZH], which promotes an Islamist-extremist, totalitarian ideology in Germany,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in a statement.
“This Islamist ideology is opposed to human dignity, women’s rights, an independent judiciary and our democratic government.”
She claimed the group and its “sub-organisations” support Hezbollah and “spread aggressive antisemitism”. Germany outlawed the armed Lebanese group in 2020, designating it as a “terrorist” organisation.
