The Muslim population... - Authorities in eastern Germany crackdown on Salafists, with Lower Saxony banning a Muslim association.
Authorities conducted raids on properties linked to the German-Speaking Muslim Community (DMG) in Brunswick and Berlin on Wednesday. A total of eight locations were searched, officials confirmed. Two private apartments in Berlin were also targeted, media reported.
According to the spokesperson for the Lower Saxony Interior Ministry, these raids are part of efforts to enforce a club ban. This ban prevents former members from continuing club activities and forbids any actions by third parties on behalf of the outlawed group. For now, the spokesperson is not divulging further details as the operations are ongoing. Previous reports from NDR and "Spiegel" anticipate more updates on this matter.
DMG: A popular platform for Salafist preachers
In June 2023, the Lower Saxony Interior Ministry shared in its Constitutional Protection Report that the DMG in Brunswick had emerged as a national hub for Salafist preachers. As per the report, Salafist preachers frequently appeared at this association, and their talks were broadcast to a wide audience via online platforms of the DMG Brunswick. The association has recently expanded its online presence. Its online offerings include YouTube, TikTok, Spotify, and Telegram, among others.
The YouTube channel of DMG Brunswick amassed around 70,000 subscribers by May 2023, revealing the potential for self-radicalization, especially with the increasing digital possibilities for information and communication.
On its website, the DMG advertises numerous opportunities, including Koran camps, children's camps, youth conferences, and study circles.
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The public prosecutor's office in Lower Saxony is involved in the raid on DMG properties due to the association's suspected violation of the ban on Salafist activities, which aims to protect the constitution from extremist influences. The protection of the constitution is of utmost importance, and authorities are taking necessary measures to ensure that extremist groups like Salafists do not pose a threat to the stability of society in Lower Saxony.
