- The tenure of the leader of the prohibited ICE is approaching its conclusion.
With only a few days left before his mandatory departure, there's speculation about whether Mohammed Hadi Mofatteh, the head of the Hamburg Islamic Center (IZH), labeled as extremist and proscribed, has already bid Germany farewell. By 2 PM on Tuesday, no "border crossing confirmation" had been sent to the Hamburg immigration office by the federal police, a representative from the interior ministry informed the German Press Agency. Yet, a late departure is still a possibility.
As per the expulsion decree issued in late August, Mofatteh was required to leave Germany by 12 AM on September 11. Failing to comply could result in his own expense-covered forced deportation to Iran. Furthermore, he is prohibited from re-entering Germany, and the interior ministry warns that he may face up to three years in prison if he disobeys.
Mofatteh is perceived as the emissary of Iran's Supreme Leader
Germany's Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) outlawed the IZH on July 24, labeling it as a "key Iranian propaganda hub in Europe." Five organizations affiliated with the center were also banned. During a nationwide raid, all assets and facilities were seized. Since then, the Blue Mosque managed by the IZH on the outer Alster in Hamburg has also ceased operations.
According to IZH declarations, Mofatteh serves as the highest-level spiritual guide for European Shiites, excluding the UK. Based on the Hamburg constitution protection, he is bound by the orders of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and is viewed as his representative in Germany. "Mofatteh is a skillfully trained representative of the current regime in Tehran. His family is deeply entrenched in Iran's state-religious elite," the latest constitution protection report by the Hamburg state office states about him. He has been involved with the IZH since 2018.
Despite being labeled as extremist and proscribed, Mofatteh's religious duties as the highest-level spiritual guide for European Shiites, excluding the UK, could potentially make his departure from Germany challenging. His loyalty to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as perceived by the Hamburg constitution protection, may influence his decisions.
