By John Q. Hosedrinker The recent closure of the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) in Germany has shed light on the extent to which the mosque was influenced by the Islamic Republic of Iran and aided Hezbollah. The documents reviewed by Der Spiegel reveal a troubling connection between the Centre, Iran, and the Lebanon-based terror group, Hezbollah. The fact that the Centre’s head, Mohammad Mofatteh, was in close communication with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s office and exchanged hundreds of messages with the Deputy Head of International Affairs for the Revolution Bureau is alarming.
The German Interior Ministry’s ban on the Centre and its subsidiaries in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin is a step in the right direction, but it begs the question: how many more of these centers are operating in the West, taking orders from foreign countries and promoting extremist ideologies? It is concerning that these mosques, which are supposed to be places of worship and community, are being used as tools to spread dangerous ideologies and serve as arms of foreign governments.
The level of control exerted by Shia Islam leaders, such as the Marjas, especially those with ties to the Iranian regime, is deeply troubling. The expectation for followers to pay khums to Ayatollahs and the extensive networks of influence established by Shia Islam in the West raise serious concerns about radicalization, espionage, and terror financing within these communities. The revelations about the IZH and its ties to Iran and Hezbollah should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to thoroughly audit and monitor similar institutions operating in the West.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s response to the ban, decrying it as Islamophobia and a violation of freedom of expression, is not only hypocritical but indicative of the lengths to which countries like Iran will go to maintain their influence and control over diaspora communities. The pushback against these institutions is necessary to protect the values of democracy, secularism, and freedom in Western societies. The closure of the IZH is a step towards ensuring that these places of worship are not used to promote violence, extremism, and foreign agendas.
As a resident of Germany, it is heartening to see the government taking action against institutions like the IZH. The need for vigilance and proactive measures to prevent the spread of radical ideologies and foreign influence cannot be overstated. The closure of the IZH should serve as a cautionary tale for other nations facing similar challenges and as a reminder that the privilege of living in a democratic and secular society should not be abused to promote dangerous and extremist agendas. The recent closure of the Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH) in Germany has shed light on the extent to which the mosque was influenced by the Islamic Republic of Iran and aided Hezbollah. The documents reviewed by Der Spiegel reveal a troubling connection between the Centre, Iran, and the Lebanon-based terror group, Hezbollah. The fact that the Centre’s head, Mohammad Mofatteh, was in close communication with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s office and exchanged hundreds of messages with the Deputy Head of International Affairs for the Revolution Bureau is alarming.
The German Interior Ministry’s ban on the Centre and its subsidiaries in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin is a step in the right direction, but it begs the question: how many more of these centers are operating in the West, taking orders from foreign countries and promoting extremist ideologies? It is concerning that these mosques, which are supposed to be places of worship and community, are being used as tools to spread dangerous ideologies and serve as arms of foreign governments.
The level of control exerted by Shia Islam leaders, such as the Marjas, especially those with ties to the Iranian regime, is deeply troubling. The expectation for followers to pay khums to Ayatollahs and the extensive networks of influence established by Shia Islam in the West raise serious concerns about radicalization, espionage, and terror financing within these communities. The revelations about the IZH and its ties to Iran and Hezbollah should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to thoroughly audit and monitor similar institutions operating in the West.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry’s response to the ban, decrying it as Islamophobia and a violation of freedom of expression, is not only hypocritical but indicative of the lengths to which countries like Iran will go to maintain their influence and control over diaspora communities. The pushback against these institutions is necessary to protect the values of democracy, secularism, and freedom in Western societies. The closure of the IZH is a step towards ensuring that these places of worship are not used to promote violence, extremism, and foreign agendas.
As a resident of Germany, it is heartening to see the government taking action against institutions like the IZH. The need for vigilance and proactive measures to prevent the spread of radical ideologies and foreign influence cannot be overstated. The closure of the IZH should serve as a cautionary tale for other nations facing similar challenges and as a reminder that the privilege of living in a democratic and secular society should not be abused to promote dangerous and extremist agendas.