Imam Ali mosque in Hamburg; The problem of identity and the strategy of reopening

The Imam Ali mosque in Hamburg was temporarily closed by the German government, and now more than two years have passed since this incident. During this time, some people have been trying to find a way to open it.

Messenger - In the meantime, Iranian counter-revolutionaries are also looking to take over this place. Some clerics and secular Iranians are trying to take over the management of the mosque by sending indirect messages to the German government. Also, according to what has been heard, the former German ambassador to Iran sought to establish a relationship with one of the biot scholars in order to discuss the interaction with him in the administration of this mosque.

In order to carefully examine the problem and find a suitable solution, it is necessary to first address the reasons for closing the mosque.

The reason for the attack of the German government on this holy place was not the movement of suspicious people to this mosque, nor the secret actions of this center, nor its political activities; Because, from this point of view, the ultimate political activity of the mosque was the celebration of Imam Khomeini's (Holy) anniversary and it did not have any secret or illegal activities. Basically, there has been no political or security action at any level there; An issue that is very clear to informed people. This claim is evidenced by the fact that Hamburg state officials have always referred to this mosque and center as the jewel of Arjan's ambassador in the city. Also, institutions such as the Ministry of Education of the state of Hamburg encouraged schools to visit this mosque as one of the leading Islamic centers and get to know its religious and cultural atmosphere. In addition, the daily presence of hundreds of German and non-German tourists in this mosque is another evidence of the prominent position of this center and the positive view of the Hamburg authorities towards it.

From this point of view, the main reason for closing the mosque should be found in its identity:

This mosque has represented the religious identity and discourse arising from the Islamic Revolution of Iran.

The fact that the German government is willing to pay a huge material and spiritual cost and violate the principles of religious freedom, human rights and other slogans without any credible reason to close down such a mosque, shows that the issue should not only be seen beyond the usual differences, but should be investigated at the level of discourse and civilizational wars.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is not simply to hand over the mosque to secularists, counter-revolutionaries or currents that present themselves as neutral. The real value of the effort to reopen the Imam Ali Mosque in Hamburg lies in the revival of the same level of representation of the Islamic Revolution and its discourse; Otherwise, simply reopening the building alone will not be a strategic achievement, and its closure may have less damage.

The building and physical location of the mosque, although valuable, can be provided by spending money, and it is possible to build the mosque in other places as well. As there are more than two thousand mosques in Germany, many of them are bigger, more beautiful or have more facilities; But none of them have the importance and special status of Imam Ali Mosque (peace be upon him) in Hamburg.

Therefore, the main issue is not simply the reopening of a building, but the revival of its identity and discourse position. The effort to reopen this mosque becomes a real strategic value when it leads to the revival of the same identity that has distinguished this place from other mosques.