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160 Islamists roam the center of Hamburg
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Friday’s demonstration in Steindamm
What: Denis Fengler
Protesters in the city center of Hamburg are calling for “respect for the Prophet Muhammad”. French President Macron is also criticized. He stressed that cartoons critical of religion were covered by freedom of expression.
WITHFor the second time in a month, Islamists demanded “respect for the Prophet Muhammad” at a demonstration and criticized the creators of the French satirical magazine “Charlie Hebdo.” The magazine is hated by Islamists for publishing Muhammad cartoons. The editorial team was attacked by terrorists in 2015 and twelve employees were killed. The demonstration in the center of the city was organized by the Institute el-Azhari Islamist.
Attendance on Friday afternoon with 160 protesters was lower than on November 8, when 270 Islamists took to the streets. They moved from the Steindamm to the Rathausmarkt. Around 60 counter-protesters had gathered at the entrance to Mönckebergstrasse. The police separated the two groups with a larger contingent. According to police, there were no clashes at the time of going to press.
The action is part of global protests by Muslims against French President Emmanuel Macron. After the assassination of teacher Samuel Paty, the latter had highlighted that the publication of cartoons critical of religion was protected by freedom of expression. Paty was murdered after showing cartoons of Mohammed in class as an example of freedom of expression.
The demonstration had been criticized in advance by all the citizens’ parties. “A defensive state must not allow radical Islamists to demonstrate unhindered on the streets of Hamburg after the cruel terrorist attacks in Paris, Nice and Vienna,” said Christoph de Vries, a member of the CDU of the Bundestag.
The interior authorities had previously examined the ban on the meeting. All legal options have been examined, a spokesperson said. “If there was a possibility, we would have banned the meeting.” But it falls under the freedom of assembly.
The Al-Azhari Institute is based in St. George. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution warned against the institute earlier in the year. The official purpose is to promote education and training with regard to Islamic theology. In fact, however, Islamist teaching content is being broadcast “that clearly contradicts the canon of values of the Basic Law,” a spokesperson said. According to the authorities, there are 1,600 Islamists in Hamburg, 600 are considered violence-oriented.
