Lower Saxony moves against Salafists and prohibits an association.

Brunswick and Berlin in focus. - Lower Saxony moves against Salafists and prohibits an association.

The German-Speaking Muslim Community (DMG) in Braunschweig has been banned by Lower Saxony, putting an end to their activities in the region. Daniela Behrens, the State's Interior Minister, claimed that this group violated the constitutional order and the idea of peaceful coexistence between nations. She criticized their repeated devaluation and suppression of non-believers, women, and Jews. Behrens went on to state that the closure of DMG was a tough hit against the Salafist movement not only in Lower Saxony, but also beyond the region.

On the day the ban was announced, police carried out raids on eight places - both in Braunschweig and Berlin. No arrests were made, but the group's assets were seized. In Berlin, the police seized two private residences.

The DMG has been under surveillance by the Niedersachsen State Office for the Protection of the Constitution for a long time. The association has been found to be growing more radicalized, with a wide audience of young people reached through their online services and social media platforms. Notorious Salafist preachers appeared frequently, and their speeches did not focus on religious topics but rather hatred, aggression, and calls for violence.

Official Press Release from the Lower Saxony Interior Ministry on the association [June 2023]

Read also:

1. The ban on the DMG in Brunswick affects not only women in Lower Saxony but also those across Germany, as Daniela Behrens highlighted the group's violation of fundamental rights and peaceful coexistence.
2. In a bold move against extremism, the German authorities also targeted Salafist activities in Berlin, seizing assets from two private residences during the police raids.
3. The ban on the DMG in Brunswick is significant due to the alarming increase in Salafist influence, particularly in their online presence and young followers who were attracted to their aggressive and violent messages.
4. Daniela Behrens, the Interior Minister of Lower Saxony, has seen firsthand the consequences of Salafist extremism in her region, and she is determined to protect the rights of women, Jews, and non-believers by curtailing their activities.
5. The ban on the DMG in Brunswick is a stark reminder that religious extremism and intolerance remain a pervasive problem in Germany, as Salafists continue to spread hate and violence, undermining the country's core values.
6. The German police in Lower Saxony and Berlin have been working tirelessly to monitor and combat Salafist activities, recognizing the threat they pose to society and the rule of law in Germany.

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