The Islamic Centre Hamburg (IZH), which was recently shut down by Germany’s Interior and Homeland Affairs Federal Ministry, was found to have been taking direct orders from the Islamic Republic of Iran and providing substantial support to Hezbollah, according to documents obtained by German news outlet Der Spiegel.
In a sweeping operation earlier this year, security officials raided the Islamic Centre, seizing an array of documents and data that ultimately led to the Centre’s closure in July and the confiscation of Hamburg’s Blue Mosque.
Der Spiegel’s review of a 220-page ban order issued by the Interior Ministry exposed the Centre’s deep-seated connections with the Iranian regime and its affiliation with the Lebanon-based Hezbollah terror group.
The documents revealed that Mohammad Mofatteh, the Centre’s head, maintained close and regular communication with the office of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. This correspondence included directives and coordination on various activities, underscoring the Centre’s role in furthering Iranian interests.
Furthermore, investigators uncovered links between the Centre and Hezbollah, including evidence that a sheikh associated with the terror group had traveled through Germany. The documents indicated that this travel was facilitated through the "financial, moral, and advisory support" provided by the Centre’s former director. The support extended beyond mere logistics, implying a level of operational assistance that raised serious security concerns.
In addition to the Hamburg-based Centre, the crackdown resulted in the closure of several affiliated subsidiaries across Germany, including those in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin. The Interior Ministry also ordered the closure of four Shi'ite mosques associated with these entities. This broad action reflects Germany’s heightened vigilance and response to suspected links between domestic religious institutions and international terrorist organizations.
* The Jerusalem Post contributed to this article.
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