Iran summons German ambassador over ‘Islamophobic’ ban on center
Iran has called in Germany’s ambassador to Tehran to voice a protest against the country’s decision to ban the Islamic Center, in Hamburg.
Tehran on Wednesday also condemned the “hostile action contrary to the fundamental principles of human rights.”
The Iranian Foreign Ministry said following the ban, the ministry’s director-general of Western Europe held a meeting with Hans-udo Muzel, in which the Iranian diplomat voiced Iran’s protest in strong terms.
Germany’s Interior Ministry said on Wednesday it had “banned the Hamburg Islamic Centre and its affiliated organizations throughout Germany to date, as it is an Islamist extremist organization pursuing anti-constitutional objectives.”
The center is accused of supporting Hezbollah, which Berlin designates as a “terrorist” organization, as well as promoting “aggressive anti-Semitism” and spreading “authoritarian, theocratic rule.”
As part of the ban, the ministry said it will also close four Shia mosques, including Hamburg’s Blue Mosque, one of Germany’s oldest mosques.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry official also pointed to the valuable and unforgettable services of Islamic centers, including the Islamic Center of Hamburg, in explaining the teachings of Islam, promoting the principle of dialogue and religious tolerance, and also combating extremism.
“Unfortunately, what happened in Germany today is a clear example of Islamophobia and opposition to the teachings of Abrahamic religions, which of course, on the other side, amounts to dictatorship and deliberate promotion of violence.”
The Iranian diplomat said, “Some currents supporting marked terrorists and advocates of violence and extremism, by making baseless accusations, are seeking to fuel religious and sectarian tensions. The Muslims of Germany and other free thinkers of the world will wisely render this plan doomed.”
The Iranian diplomat warned the German government about the consequences of such destructive actions, emphasizing that this is a clear example of opposing freedom of thought and expression and practically promoting violence and extremism.
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