Islamisches Zentrum Hamburg
Islamism
The Islamic Centre Hamburg (Islamisches Zentrum Hamburg, IZH), also known as the Blue Mosque, was a prominent Shiite Islamic institution in Germany, located in Hamburg’s Uhlenhorst district. Established in the late 1950s by Iranian expatriates, it became a spiritual and cultural hub for Shia Muslims in Europe, with its mosque completed in 1965. Over the decades, the IZH played a key role in fostering religious activities and political movements, including supporting Iranian dissidents during the 1970s. However, it faced increasing scrutiny from German authorities due to alleged ties with Iran’s regime and Hezbollah. The German domestic intelligence service monitored the IZH for decades, describing it as a major outpost of Iranian Islamism in Europe that sought to “export the Islamic revolution.” The center was also considered one of Iran’s most important propaganda hubs in Europe, with its former leader Mohammad Hadi Mofatteh reportedly acting as a representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Despite rejecting these claims, the IZH was banned in July 2024 for promoting extremism and antisemitism, leading to asset seizures and nationwide closures of associated mosques. Mofatteh was subsequently expelled from Germany in August 2024, marking the end of the center’s controversial presence.