German Interior Ministry bans Islamic Center Hamburg for alleged Hezbollah support

HAMBURG — The German Interior Ministry has banned the Islamic Center Hamburg due to suspicions of its support for Hezbollah. The ministry announced that the center, through its activities, aims to propagate the ideologies and beliefs of the Iranian Supreme Leader.

Founded in 1953 by Iranian refugees, the center has been accused of promoting anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish sentiments — stances that Germany staunchly opposes. In a significant crackdown, German police conducted raids on over 50 buildings associated with the Islamic Center, including the Blue Mosque in Hamburg.

Germany, committed to combating terrorism and extremism, has handed down prison sentences to several Syrian refugees convicted of crimes against humanity in Syria. The country is also exploring the gradual repatriation of Syrians to their homeland.

In a recent judicial decision, a Syrian man from Hasakah who applied for political asylum in Germany in 2014 was ordered to be deported after being convicted in Austria for smuggling refugees from Turkey to Europe. The North Rhine-Westphalia Court ruled that there were no substantial risks to his life in Syria, paving the way for his deportation.

This decision has sparked discussions on the potential return of refugees to safe and stable cities in Syria.