Hate speech by letter against mosques
Several mosques in Berlin and other parts of Germany have received hateful abuse and insults. Over the past few days, they have received letters containing hate speech, faeces, burnt Koran pages and pork. The Berlin police are investigating four cases involving three mosques and an Islamic association, a spokesperson said on Friday. Further comparable cases are known from other federal states. They are in contact with the state criminal investigation offices.
The police spokesman said that it was not yet clear how many other cases there were and whether all the letters could be from the same perpetrator. One of the photos of the envelopes sent to Berlin mosques shows a postmark from a mail center 44, which is located in Dortmund.
The Berlin mosques showed photos of the larger envelopes, which contained plastic bags and their contents. Among other things, burnt pages of text, slices of sausage and soil or dirt could be seen. In a printed text, the Koran, Allah and Mohammed were insulted in a highly aggressive manner in German and Turkish, and there was also talk of dog excrement and other similar objects.
According to the police, the case is being investigated on suspicion of insulting denominations and religious communities. They are in contact with the mosques and are examining the threat situation. "We take the cases just as seriously as comparable cases against Jewish institutions," said a spokesperson.
According to the police, letters were sent to the Şehitlik Mosque in Tempelhof, the Muradiye Mosque in Neukölln, the Kocasinan Mosque and the Islamic association DITIB. Some mosques also reported swastikas and stars of David smeared on the walls and threatening phone calls.
"These shocking incidents not only deeply sadden us, but also pose a serious threat to the sense of security and togetherness of our community," the mosques concerned announced on Friday. "We cannot tolerate such a hostile action and expect a clear statement from the authorities condemning such acts and taking measures to protect our community."
The escalating hate speech towards religious communities in Germany is alarming, with mosques in Berlin and other cities receiving letters filled with extremist content. These letters contain threats, hate speech, and even burnt Koran pages, further fueling tension and crime. This is a clear violation of religious freedom during a time when religious harmony is essential, especially amidst the backdrop of ongoing global conflicts and wars.
Source: www.dpa.com
