By Gunnar Schupelius
The imams have the greatest influence on Muslims in Berlin. The majority of them do not fight against the hatred of Israel and the Jews and that is a problem, says Gunnar Schupelius.
After Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7th, the mayor of Neukölln, Martin Hikel (SPD), addressed clubs, cultural centers and all religious communities in the district. He asked them to sign a “Joint Declaration” that he had written.
It condemns the Hamas massacres and also the approval of sympathizers in Berlin. The text continues: “In Neukölln we are fortunate to be able to live in peace and security. We want to preserve this peace: in schools, on the streets, in the clubs. We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Neukölln can live safely.”
The Christian churches and a total of 20 associations signed immediately, including the “German-Arab Council”, the “Arab Parents’ Association Berlin-Neukölln”, the “Iraqi Community of Berlin” and the “Union of Syrian Associations eV”.
Of the ten large mosque communities in Neukölln, only two signed, the “Ditib Şehitlik Mosque Community” (Columbiadamm) and the “Aziziye Camii Berlin Buckow Mosque”. The others didn’t react.
Among the objectors are radical mosque associations such as Imam-Riza (Reuterstrasse) and Al Nur (Haberstrasse). The Imam-Riza is considered a meeting place for supporters of the Islamists of Lebanon (Hezbollah). Al-Nur is classified by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as a center of Salafism in Berlin.
But even moderate mosque associations, such as Dar-Assalam (Flughafenstrasse), did not take part. The Imam Mohamed Taha Sabri, who comes from Tunisia, called for “reason and humanity” after the attack on Israel and at least indirectly criticized the hate demonstrations in Neukölln. But he also did not want to join the call for peace.
Mayor Hikel remains optimistic: “The broad support for our joint declaration is a strong signal from Neukölln’s civil society.”
Neukölln’s district mayor Martin Hikel (SPD) Photo: dpa
That’s true, but the boycott of the eight major mosques is a serious blow. Because the imams have the greatest influence on the Muslims in Berlin. Not only to the adults in Friday prayers, but especially to the children in the educational institutions and Koranic schools. If the imams stay away from a call for peaceful coexistence, then this is a deep insight and does not foresee a good future.
In the radical mosques, hatred of Israel and the Jews is a given, a consensus that is not questioned. So they don’t distance themselves from the hateful Hamas supporters who roam the streets.
Such mosque associations do not reach a common declaration. They must be monitored and controlled. To date, despite several attempts, neither the Senate nor the district office have succeeded in doing this.
It can not go on like this. Anyone who stirs up hatred and despises democracy and the West is not allowed to operate a mosque.
Is Gunnar Schupelius right? Call: 030/2591 73153, or email: [email protected]
Read all of Gunnar Schupelius’s columns here