- Large Mosque: Maintain State's Control over the Blue Mosque
In Hamburg, according to Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD), the Blue Mosque situated around the Alster should continue to be under state control in the future. Grote shared his thoughts in an interview with "Die Welt", stating, "It should be accessible once more as a religious and cultural hub, undeniably separate from Tehran." He further highlighted, "The state must never relinquish control over the structure again."
Hamburg houses a substantial Shia population and a considerable Iranian community that generally opposes the Tehran regime. Grote added, "For these individuals, the mosque should once again serve as a focal point." However, he noted that this might take several additional years, as the legal proceedings are yet to be finalized.
Mosque Under Federal Control
Prior to its ban, the Islamic Center Hamburg (IZH) managed the mosque. On July 24, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) announced that the association promoted unconstitutional objectives and propagated the ideology of the Iranian Revolution in Germany. Subsequently, police across the country confiscated the center's assets and facilities, along with those of five affiliate organizations. Ever since, the Blue Mosque has fallen under federal control. The IZH has since challenged the ban in the Federal Administrative Court based in Leipzig, with the primary objective of reopening the mosque for the faithful, as the association's lawyer explained.
Friday Prayers Only Permitted along the Streetside
Following the ban, believers gathered for Friday prayers on the street in front of the mosque, leading to animosity within the neighborhood. Last Thursday, the authorities, specifically the police in charge of gatherings, issued an order limiting the gatherers to an area outside the pedestrian zone. Approximately 80 individuals participated in a public prayer on Friday, which took place on a roped-off sidewalk at a distance from the mosque. They also voiced their objections to the confiscation of the building.
The SPD, with Andy Grote serving as Interior Senator in Hamburg, advocates for the Blue Mosque to continue under state control, ensuring its future as a religious and cultural hub separate from Tehran. The SPD's stance on the mosque aligns with the wishes of Hamburg's Shia population and Iranian community, who see it as a crucial focal point.
