Germany’s Interior Ministry announced on Wednesday that a Muslim group has been officially banned. The organization faces serious accusations of pursuing anti-constitutional activities, including advocating for the establishment of a caliphate.
Simultaneously with the announcement of the ban, police forces conducted raids on seven buildings. These buildings were located in the northern port city of Hamburg, where the targeted organization, Muslim Interaktiv, was based.
Minister Vows to Protect Free Society
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the center-right CDU/CSU bloc issued a strong statement defending the decision. “We will not allow organisations such as ‘Muslim Interaktiv’ to undermine our free society with their hatred… and attack our country from within,” Dobrindt declared.
The association initially drew national scrutiny in April 2024. During a rally held in Hamburg, more than 1,200 people demonstrated. They used the event to denounce what they alleged were Germany’s Islamophobic policies.
Signs displayed at the rally included messages such as “the caliphate is the solution.” These signs quickly made national headlines and sparked a heated countrywide debate.
The group is also accused of promoting hatred toward Israel and rejecting fundamental women’s rights. Consequently, the ministry has ordered that the association be dissolved and its assets confiscated.
Online Activity and Authority Reaction
The city of Hamburg reported that the group, which was established in 2020, maintained a high level of activity online. Authorities noted the organization’s persistent claims that the “entire Muslim community” was being rejected by German society and its political establishment.
Hamburg’s interior minister, Andy Grote of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), welcomed the move. Grote stated that authorities had successfully “eliminated a dangerous and very active Islamist group.”
The security actions extended beyond Hamburg. Police also conducted searches on Wednesday in Berlin and the western state of Hesse. These searches were part of separate investigations targeting two other groups, named “Generation Islam” and “Realitaet Islam.”
Germany has a history of taking action against organizations suspected of radical activity. For instance, the German government previously banned the NGO Ansaar in 2021. That organization was accused of funneling funds to Islamist terrorism under the guise of charitable work.
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