Crime
Vandalism Targets Turkish-Run Mosque in Germany with Star of David
Turkish-Run Mosque in Germany Vandalized with Symbols, Escapes Arson Attempt
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A mosque operated by a Turkish organization in Germany fell victim to vandalism on Wednesday when unknown suspects targeted the place before attempting to set it ablaze. Symbols, including a swastika and the Star of David, were drawn on the door of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque in the Dahlhausen district of Bochum.
The Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (DITIB), responsible for managing the mosque, strongly condemned the attack. Güngör Kadir Güven, the President of the Sultan Ahmet Mosque Association, reported that the congregation, arriving for the morning prayer, discovered the aftermath of the assault. Güven disclosed that the vandals initially tried to set the mosque on fire, stating, "Then a swastika and Star of David symbols were drawn on the entrance door. Despite several attempts, fortunately, the shutters did not catch fire. If they had, it would have been a disaster."
Expressing their demand for swift justice, Güven added, "We demand that the perpetrator or perpetrators be caught and brought to justice as soon as possible." He highlighted that the police have initiated an investigation into the incident.
Germany has witnessed a surge in anti-Muslim sentiment and violence in recent years, driven by the influence of far-right political parties and movements. In the first half of 2023, law enforcement recorded 258 Islamophobic crimes, encompassing attacks on mosques, cases of bodily harm, and threatening letters. As a country with a population exceeding 84 million, Germany boasts the second-largest Muslim population in Western Europe after France, with official figures indicating a Muslim population exceeding 5 million.
