Hateful attacks against Berlin mosques and religious institutions across Germany escalate
Recent days have seen several German mosques and Islamic associations bombarded with hostile letters, insults, litter, and defamatory content. In Berlin alone, three mosques and one Islamic organization have been targeted, while similar cases have been reported in other states. The Berlin police are currently scrutinizing this situation, with over thirty comparable situations uncovered. The force has reached out to state criminal investigation offices for collaboration.
Perplexingly, the Berlin mosques have shared images of large envelopes that contained plastic bags with distressing contents. Within this material, burnt Koran pages, slices of pork, dirt or soil, and vile written messages could be found. These written messages insulted the Koran, Allah, and Mohammed in both German and Turkish, with insults ranging from dog excrement to similar objects.
As of now, the investigation is proceeding with the suspicion of insulting religious communities. The authorities are in touch with the mosques, evaluating the extent of this threat. In a strong statement, the police spokesperson declared that their concern for these crimes is the same as when facing comparable situations against Jewish institutions.
Several mosques in Berlin have reported graffiti consisting of swastikas and stars of David adorning the walls, as well as threatening phone calls. This alarming escalation of hate speech against religious communities has left the affected institutions saddened and unsettled. A joint statement, issued by the concerned mosques, denounced this hostile act, demanding a clear condemnation from the authorities and enhanced protection to safeguard their community's peace of mind.
The intensifying wave of hate speech against religious communities in Germany is an alarming trend, with mosques becoming more frequent targets. This unwarranted and inflammatory content causes tension and ill-will, threatening to worsen the already fragile situation during a period marked by ongoing conflicts and wars, making religious harmony a pressing priority.
Relevant insights:
- The German authorities are actively investigating incidents of hate speech and aggression against religious communities including mosques. For example, the Coordination Council of Muslims in Germany (KRM) has reported numerous mosques receiving bomb threats, hate messages, and property damage over the past few weeks[2].
- Special commissions and task forces have been set up to examine situations of hate speech, like the Munich car attack, which was inspired by Islamism[1].
- Authorities have issued public warnings, advocating against turning society into a battleground for right-wing extremists or Islamists, urging unity in support of democracy[1].
- Some individuals are pushing for quick action, such as Mohammad Imran Sediqi, chairman of the Afghan cultural association Farhang in Munich, advocating deportation for anyone who commits a crime in Germany, but warning against general suspicion towards individuals of Afghan origin[1].
- Local authorities, together with community organizations and institutions, are collaborating to maintain security and maintain unity within religious communities, such as the Coordination Council of Muslims in Germany raising concerns about new migration policy initiatives and working with authorities to ensure the safety of mosques and Muslims[2].
- Law enforcement has seen a significant growth in offenses with extreme right-wing motivation, with about 100 such incidents reported daily, including anti-Muslim offenses[2].
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Enrichment Data:
- German authorities are actively investigating and taking measures to combat hate speech against religious communities, including mosques. These measures are aimed at ensuring peace of mind within religious communities, and promoting an inclusive and tolerant society.
The German authorities are taking active steps to address the recent escalation in hate speech and aggression against religious communities, particularly targeting mosques in Berlin and other parts of Germany. This situation is being investigated for potential hate crimes, with authorities reaching out to local communities to maintain a sense of security and unity. At the same time, efforts are underway to combat hate speech and encourage tolerance among the population.
