ALWAGHT- The German ambassador in Tehran was summoned by the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest Germany’s decision to ban the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and five affiliated organizations across the country.
Hans-Udo Muzel was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday following a raid by German police on 53 locations across the country, including a prominent mosque in Hamburg.
During the meeting, the director general of the Foreign Ministry’s Western Europe Department condemned Germany’s “hostile” actions, accusing them of violating fundamental human rights principles and expressing Iran’s strong protest.
The Iranian diplomat emphasized the valuable services provided by the Islamic centers in Germany, including IZH, which promote understanding of Islamic teachings, foster dialogue and religious tolerance, and combat extremism. He remarked, “Unfortunately, today’s events in Germany are a clear example of anti-Islamism and an attack on the teachings of Abrahamic religions, reflecting both dictatorship and the deliberate promotion of violence.”
He warned Germany that certain groups sponsoring notorious terrorists and advocates of violence and extremism have made unfounded accusations to incite religious tensions. He added that Muslims in Germany and other free thinkers worldwide would vigilantly thwart such plots.
Warning the German government about the repercussions of such “destructive measures,” the Iranian diplomat told the German ambassador, “These actions are blatant examples of suppressing freedom of thought and speech while actively promoting violence and extremism.”
Muzel responded that he would promptly relay Iran’s message to his government.
On Wednesday, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced the ban on the Islamic Center Hamburg for allegedly propagating extremism and confirmed that its renowned "Blue Mosque" was being searched by police.
The Imam Ali Mosque, commonly known as the Blue Mosque, is one of Germany's oldest mosques and is operated by the IZH.
