Germany Bans Islamic Center Hamburg for Extremism

German authorities have banned the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) and its affiliated organizations due to its alleged support for Hezbollah and ties to Iran, classifying it as an extremist group. The Interior Ministry stated that the IZH propagates radical Islamist and anti-constitutional ideologies, and emphasized that the ban does not target the peaceful practice of the Shiite faith. Extensive police operations, involving searches of 53 properties across multiple states, were carried out to enforce the ban. The Blue Mosque, run by the IZH, was a key site of investigation. The IZH has been under surveillance by German intelligence since the 1990s and has been described as an important propaganda center for Tehran in Europe.