Turquoise hues once painted a serene picture. Now, let’s delve into the story of Hamburg’s Islamic Centre, formerly known as the Sultan Ahmed Moschee.
This wasn’t just any mosque. It was the city’s oldest. A place of worship born from the needs of a growing Iranian community in the 1950s.
Imagine 1953. Iranian residents gathered at the Atlantic Hotel. They dreamed of a religious center of their own. They wrote to Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Husayn Borujerdi. He supported their vision with a generous donation.
Construction of the Islamic Centre Hamburg began in 1960. Famous Iranian architect Hosein Lorzade helped build the mosque. It was completed in 1965. The building cost around 2 million DM. The Islamic Centre Hamburg became a place of worship. It served all Shia Muslims in Hamburg.
Did you know it became a hub for Iranian students in Europe? They opposed the Shah, Iran’s former dictator. Protests against the Shah spread worldwide. The Iranian Revolution followed.
The Islamic Centre Hamburg aimed to promote understanding. It wanted to bridge the gap between Iranian Shia Muslims and Western Europeans. People admired its turquoise color. A reflecting pool added to its peaceful charm.
The Islamic Centre Hamburg featured a typical Iranian design. A turquoise dome soared above. Two minarets stood tall. An iwan, or portal, welcomed visitors. Artists from Mashhad decorated the prayer hall with mosaics. The Goharshad Mosque donated the mihrab. The building also included a library, office space and an underground parking garage.
But the Islamic Centre Hamburg’s story took a controversial turn.
The Landesamt für Verfassungsschutz monitored it. They suspected ties to the Iranian government. The IZH protested. It claimed to be purely religious. It said it focused only on Shia Muslims’ religious needs.
In 2022, Seyed Soliman Mousavifar, the IZH’s deputy director, faced expulsion. He had alleged ties to Hezbollah.
Calls for the IZH’s closure grew louder. Accusations arose after the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.
In July 2024, the German government closed the Islamic Centre Hamburg. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser claimed it promoted an Islamist ideology. Several affiliated Islamic centers were also shut down.
The closure sparked strong reactions. Iran summoned Germany’s ambassador. They condemned the move as Islamophobic. Religious authorities saw it as reminiscent of Nazi policies.
The Islamic Centre Hamburg had a succession of directors. They included Hojjatulislam Mohagheghi and Hojjatulislam Mohammad Beheshti.
The story of the Islamic Centre Hamburg is complex. It reflects Hamburg’s diverse history. Its closure marks a significant moment. The building once stood for cultural exchange. Now, it represents controversy and political tensions.