BERLIN: Germany on Wednes­day banned the Hamburg Islamic Centre, an association that has been under investigation for several months over its alleged support for Hezbollah and its links to Iran.

Tehran reacted in fury, summoning Germany’s ambassador to Iran to condemn a “hostile action” it branded as a “clear example of Islamophobia”. Germany in turn held talks with Iran’s ambassador but fell short of formally summoning the envoy.

Germany’s Interior Ministry accused the centre of presenting itself as a purely religious organisation with no political agenda but said its probe has found the contrary to be true.

In a statement, the ministry said it “banned the Hamburg Islamic Centre and its affiliated organisations throughout Germany to date, as it is an extremist organisation pursuing anti-constitutional objectives”.

Describing the group as a “direct representative of Iran’s supreme leader”, the ministry said the centre spreads Tehran’s ideology “in an aggressive and militant manner”.

Tehran summons Berlin’s envoy over Hamburg Islamic Centre’s closure

It is allegedly seeking to “establish authoritarian, theocratic rule” in place of a democracy, the ministry said, accusing the centre of backing the “military and political dimension” of organisations like Hezbollah.

Tehran’s reaction

Tehran said it summoned the German ambassador after the closure of an Islamic centre in Hamburg over alleged support for Hezbollah and links to Iran.

“Following the action of the German police which closed a number of Islamic centres, the German ambassador was summoned today to the ministry of foreign affairs,” the ministry said in a statement on social media platform X.

Iran’s foreign ministry condemned Germany’s “hostile action” and said it was “contrary to the fundamental human rights principles”.

“Unfortunately, what happened in Germany today is a clear example of Islamophobia and a confrontation to the teachings of the Abrahamic religions,” it said.

The ministry hailed “valuable and unforgettable services of Islamic centres, including the Hamburg Islamic Centre, in explaining the religious teachings of Islam, promoting the principle of dialogue and religious tolerance, as well as combating extremism.”

‘Outpost’ of Iran

Investigators raided 53 properties allegedly linked to the centre across Germany, impounding the centre itself while seizing a “high number of IT devices” along with cash and documents with links to Hezbollah and Hamas, the ministry said in a later statement.

Wednesday’s ban will also apply to several organisations related to the Hamburg centre, including four Shia mosques. “I want to make it very clear: We are not taking action against a religion,” said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.

“We are drawing a clear distinction between extremists that we are cracking down on and the many Muslims who belong to our country and live according to their faith.

“This ban absolutely does not apply to the peaceful practice of the Shia religion,” she said.

Germany considers Hezbollah a “terrorist organisation” and in 2020 banned Hezbollah from carrying out activities on its soil.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2024