- Title: German government bans Islamist group
- Date: 15th November 2016
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 15, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF INTERIOR MINISTRY GOVERNMENT CARS ARRIVING AT MINISTRY GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER THOMAS DE MAIZIERE ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER THOMAS DE MAIZIERE, SAYING: "As interior minister I today, banned and dissolved the organisation with the name: 'True Religion.' It was acting under the name: 'Lies Foundation' or 'Foundation Lies'. The group operates nationwide, bringing Jihadists and Islamists together using the pretext of propagating Islam and under the pretext of the so-called harmless distribution of Koran translations. This is happening in pedestrian zones where hate messages and anti-constitutional messages are being spread and young people with conspiracy theories are being radicalised. Until now, after engaging with 'Lies', some 140 young people have travelled to Syria or Iraq to take part in fights on the side of terrorist groups." CAMERAMAN FILMING (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER THOMAS DE MAIZIERE, SAYING: "One thing is important to highlight. Today's ban does not target the propagation, practice and spread of the Islamic faith in general. Muslim life has a solid and secure place in Germany and in our society. Freedom of religion counts for all and is a reality. Today's ban is also not directed against the general distribution of Korans or Koran translations. Today's ban is directed much more at the misuse of religion by people who are using Islam as a pretext to spread extremist ideologies and to support terrorist organisations." SIGN OF INTERIOR MINISTRY (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN INTERIOR MINISTER THOMAS DE MAIZIERE, SAYING: "With today's ban we are giving a clear signal. There is no place in our society for radical extremists who are willing to use violence. Here, we are drawing a clear line to also be able to protect the peaceful Islam in Germany." JOURNALIST LISTENING NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS
- Embargoed: 30th November 2016 09:05
- Keywords: Islamists raids De Maiziere interior minister IS
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Crime
- Reuters ID: LVA00158K1AO7
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The German government on Tuesday (November 15) announced a ban on a Salafist organisation operating in Germany under the name: True religion.
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere accused the organisation of being specifically responsible for the radicalisation of 140 young people and causing them to leave for Syria and Iraq to fight alongside extremists.
The group, otherwise known as 'Lies Foundation' or 'Foundation Lies' has been banned in ten Federal States. De Maiziere accused the group of using the cover of religious publishing and teaching to spread hate and incite violence.
The controversial distribution of the Koran by the Salafist group in Germany has long been under discussion for its ideology aimed at recruiting supporters.
The group has already handed out hundreds of thousands of copies of the translated Koran at stands on the streets of German cities.
Germany's domestic intelligence agency has described Ibrahim Abu Nagie, who launched the campaign, as a prominent exponent of Salafism, which has its roots in Saudi Arabia, and German authorities view his website as a hub for radical Islamists.
The campaign has posed a dilemma as any move to stop the distribution of the Koran - a perfectly legal activity - could be seen as anti-Islamic.
De Maiziere said the ban would not target legitimate Koran distributions and was not an attack on religious freedom or Islam in general.
"One thing is important to highlight. Today's ban does not target the propagation, practice and spread of the Islamic faith in general. Muslim life has a solid and secure place in Germany and in our society. Freedom of religion counts for all and is a reality. Today's ban is also not directed against the general distribution of Korans or Koran translations. Today's ban is directed much more at the misuse of religion by people who are using Islam as a pretext to spread extremist ideologies and to support terrorist organisations," he said at a news conference in Berlin. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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