Suche
Mein Konto
Scandal in Graz: Secret mosque in the basement causes accusations of anti-Semitism!
Discovery of a secret mosque in Graz causes excitement: anti-Semitic statements and official investigations.
Scandal in Graz: Secret mosque in the basement causes accusations of anti-Semitism!
In Graz-Gries, the discovery of a secret mosque called “Masjid al İhsan” is causing quite a stir. This mosque is located in the basement of an apartment building and opens its doors to believers every day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Residents are irritated by the visits of men with long beards who regularly frequent the mosque. The mosque was previously known as the “Arabian Cultural Association of Graz” on Schönaugasse before it moved to its current location. The increasing interest in the mosque, particularly from asylum seekers from Syria and Iraq, is evidenced by numerous online comments. However, insiders warn that the mosque follows a Salafist orientation and therefore conveys problematic content. While the German-language sermons are considered largely harmless, the Arabic sermons contain anti-Semitic statements that are directed against Jews and Zionists.
The situation around the mosque has now also attracted the attention of the authorities. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution has already filed a complaint against two of the club's leading figures for incitement, and the Graz public prosecutor's office has confirmed the ongoing investigation. Another worrying point is that the Building and Facilities Authority has determined that there is no permit for its use as a mosque. The owner of the storage room expressed surprise since the space was originally only rented out as storage space. Given these circumstances, residents are demanding a quick solution and the removal of the mosque from the building.
Attacks and conflicts in the mosque
Another worrying aspect of the mosque in Graz's Laubgasse is the multiple attacks that have taken place there. The city police have had to call a mediation meeting in the past to resolve scuffles between two competing groups. These conflicts have caused concern in the city and the executive branch, with the mosque playing a particularly symbolic role in Styria due to its minaret.