Government & Politics

Europe’s Syrians shaken by debate over repatriation to their war-ravaged homeland For many Syrian refugees in Europe, joy at the fall of Assad has been tempered by immediate calls for them to go home.

(Politico) When Osama Sabsabi learned that opposition forces had captured the city of Homs, where he grew up, he did something that would have been unthinkable just days earlier: He booked a ticket home. “We, the Syrian people, are experiencing an indescribable […]

Government & Politics

Germany’s Faeser calls for ‘vigilance’ at Christmas markets German security authorities said that while there were no indications of a 'concrete' threat, the country's popular Christmas markets could be a target for Islamist terrorist groups.

(Deutsche Welle) German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Thursday called for “great vigilance” at Germany’s popular Christmas markets. However, she stressed that there was no “concrete” evidence of a threat. What did Faeser say about the threat to Christmas markets? Faeser said […]

Government & Politics

Germany: Police arrest man over Israeli Embassy attack plot Police have arrested a man suspected of links to the 'Islamic State' group and planning an attack on the Israeli Embassy. Prosecutors say he had been planning to attack the diplomatic mission using firearms.

(Deutsche Welle) A Libyan man with alleged ties to the “Islamic State” (IS) militant group was set to appear before Germany’s highest court on Sunday, charged with planning an attack on the Israeli Embassy in Berlin. The man was detained on Saturday in […]

News: Europe

Germany and Europe are once again ‘Islamic State’ targets The Solingen knife attack has sparked renewed concerns about 'Islamic State' targeting Germany and Europe. Experts warn of a new wave of IS-linked violence driven by Middle East conflicts.

(Deutsche Welle) The so-called “Islamic State” (IS) extremist group has claimed responsibility for the knife attack in Solingen. According to Amaq, the mouthpiece of IS, the attack was carried out in “revenge for Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere” and targeted a “group […]

Government & Politics

German far right seizes on knife attack ahead of crucial state elections The AfD accuses the ruling coalition and the moderate center-right opposition of shortcomings on security.

(Politico) A brutal knife attack in the German city of Solingen has reignited a debate about public security a week ahead of important state elections in eastern Germany, with the far right hammering the government coalition and other parties over alleged shortcomings. […]

Government & Politics

Germany: Islamist terror poses ‘persistently high’ risk German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has warned that Germany remains a target for Islamist terrorists. Her comments follow the cancellation of three Austrian concerts by US pop star Taylor Swift.

(Deutsche Welle) German security officials on Monday said the threat of Islamist terrorism in the country remains high, with several groups seeking to radicalize recruits amid turmoil in the Middle East. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said German intelligence services were in “very […]

Law Enforcement

German police uncover shuttered mosque’s ties to Khamenei A voluminous report, spanning over 200 pages, outlines the connection between the center and the Iranian regime. The relationship involved not only ideological guidance but also direct instructions.

(Israel Hayom) A bombshell report by a leading German newspaper has exposed alarming connections between a prominent Islamic leader in Germany and the inner circle of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The revelations, based on an extensive police investigation, detail how the […]

Law Enforcement

Suspected IS supporter arrested at Cologne airport The suspect allegedly supported an offshoot of the Islamic State. He also reportedly unsuccessfully applied to work at Euro 2024-related events.

(Deutsche Welle) A suspected supporter of the Islamic State (IS) was arrested a week before the start of the UEFA European football championship in Germany, the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office said Sunday. According to a spokesperson for the Karlsruhe authority, the suspect […]

Demonstrations

Hamburg ‘caliphate’ rally prompts calls for punishment German politicians have called for action after reports of a rally in which speakers demanded Shariah law in Germany. A leading Bavarian conservative said such appeals should lead to jail time and citizenship removal.

(Deutsche Welle) A top Bavarian politician on Wednesday demanded tougher consequences for people advocating for Germany to become a “caliphate,” saying they should face prison terms and lose citizenship. Alexander Dobrindt, who heads Bavaria’s conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) in Germany’s Bundestag, […]

Demonstrations

Germany’s Scholz calls for ‘consequences’ following Islamist rally Demonstrators in Hamburg called for the creation of a 'caliphate,' sparking condemnation.

(Politico) German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Monday there must be “consequences” following an Islamist rally in Hamburg that sparked condemnation from politicians across the country. More than 1,000 people participated in a demonstration in the northern German city on Saturday, holding up […]

Clerics & Preachers

Belgium pushes to expel controversial Palestinian activist ‘hate preacher’ Mohammed Khatib leads Palestinian group already banned in Germany for its actions praising and celebrating Hamas’s October 7 attacks

(Times of Israel) Belgium’s government on Monday said it wanted to revoke the refugee status of the head of a network supporting Palestinian prisoners, whom it accused of being an “extremist hate preacher.” Mohammed Khatib is the coordinator in Europe for Samidoun, […]

Government & Politics

England fans warned of new terror threat for Euro 2024 with ‘dangers raised to new level’ ahead of tournament The Three Lions will be hoping to win the competition in Germany this summer

(GB News) England fans have been warned of a new terror threat as the European Championships this summer creep closer. After the recent attack in Moscow, Germany Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has claimed dangers have risen “to a new level” just 75 […]

Academics & Education

Germany trains new generation of Muslim leaders In a groundbreaking move, Germany trains its own Muslim religious leaders, fostering a deeper connection with local communities. Muslim associations across the country are seeing a generational change and reorientation.

(Deutsche Welle) Osman Soyer is a religious affairs officer who was sworn into office this month in the Sehitlik Mosque in Berlin’s Neukölln district. He is one of 28 young men and women who have been trained as “religious representatives” by DITIB, […]

Demonstrations

Police in Berlin ban pro-Palestinian New Year rally Authorities in Berlin have said the planned pro-Palestinian rally would carry a risk of 'crimes,' including displays of antisemitism and glorification of violence.

(Deutsche Welle) Berlin police announced on Saturday that a pro-Palestinian rally scheduled for New Year’s Eve in Berlin’s Neukölln district should not take place. Officials said the decision had been taken because of an imminent danger “that the gathering will result in […]

Government & Politics

Austria wants to tap Islamists’ messenger apps amid Europe terrorism fears Germany and Austria arrest a group of people from Tajikistan over warnings of a New Year's Eve attack

(National-UAE) Austria’s interior minister is calling for the security services to be given access to suspects’ messenger apps in an attempt to thwart terrorist attacks. [This] comes after five people from Tajikistan were arrested in Austria and Germany with European nations on […]

Christians

Warning of ‘increased risk’ of ISIS terror attacks across Europe on New Year’s Eve Experts say terror group remains a 'serious threat' as arrests made in Spain, Austria, France and Germany

(National-UAE) Security services across Europe have uncovered an ISIS plot to use explosives to target churches. Counter-terrorism experts say the group remains a “serious threat” and is taking advantage of the conflict in Gaza to motivate its supporters. Over the Christmas period, […]

Crime

Germany braces for potential New Year’s Eve riots Police have stepped up preparations to deal with violence against them and emergency service staff on New Year's Eve. There are worries that the situation in the Middle East could worsen the problem.

(Deutsche Welle) Germany’s Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said she fears a repeat of New Year rioting and attacks on emergency services in Berlin and other cities. “I’m worried that New Year’s Eve could once again be a day on which we are forced […]

Interfaith

German police raid suspected Hamas and Samidoun properties Berlin had banned activities related to Hamas — a designated terrorist group — and the international pro-Palestinian network Samidoun at the beginning of November.

(Deutsche Welle) The German Interior Ministry on Thursday said police had conducted raids on properties in four federal states connected to suspected Hamas and Samidoun members. Germany, along with the US, the EU and others, has designated Hamas a terrorist organization. Samidoun […]