Politics · Germany · 6 hrs ago
Bremen Ends Campaign Against Islamist Influence After Muslim Criticism
Bremen has ended its public campaign against Islamist influence early after strong criticism from Muslims.
The campaign began on November 4, with public adverts warning that Islamists could seek to change society through legal means.
A wolf-in-sheep’s-clothing image warned of Islamist infiltration, including networks such as the Muslim Brotherhood.
Senator Eva Högl said the message was too broad and made some Muslims feel they were under general suspicion.
Högl said the campaign’s goal was right but its execution was not and said she regretted the harm caused.
The campaign was a joint effort by the domestic intelligence agencies of Bremen and Lower Saxony, but only Bremen planned public adverts.
Bremen says it will continue fighting Islamism with support from Muslim communities in Bremen and Bremerhaven.
Bremen is ending its public campaign against legalistic Islamism early after criticism from Muslim residents.
Interior Senator Eva Högl said the campaign had deeply hurt many Muslims and that its implementation was wrong.
The campaign began on November 4 and used public advertising boards to warn about Islamist influence.
Högl said the campaign’s message was too broad and made people who were not its target feel suspected.
She said Bremen would continue to fight Islamism and seek support from Muslim residents.
- Who
- Bremen’s state Office for the Protection of the Constitution ran the campaign with its counterpart in Lower Saxony; Bremen Interior Senator Eva Högl announced its early end.
- What
- Bremen is ending the public campaign against legalistic Islamism early.
- When
- The campaign began on November 4; Högl announced the decision on Saturday, November 14.
- Where
- Bremen, Germany.
- Why
- Muslim residents criticised the campaign, and Högl said its broad message had hurt many and made people who were not its target feel suspected.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bremen’s state Office for the Protection of the Constitution began displaying public warnings about Islamist influence.
Högl said Bremen would end the campaign’s public display early after criticism from Muslims.
- Campaign start
- November 4
- Campaign partners
- Bremen and Lower Saxony state Offices for the Protection of the Constitution
- Campaign focus
- Legalistic Islamism
- Campaign image
- A wolf in sheep’s clothing
- End decision
- Bremen ended the public campaign early
What people are saying
The goal was right. The implementation was not.
I deeply regret that the latest campaign by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has deeply hurt many Muslim women and men in the state.
Muslim life belongs to Bremen and Bremerhaven.
The most effective way to do this is with Muslim women and men in Bremen and Bremerhaven. For they are most affected by these influences.