German state bans Islamic organization, raids mosque

Dusseldorf, Mar. 10, (dpa/GNA) – Germany’s most populous state of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) has banned an Islamic association and ordered raids at a mosque.

The moves targeted the Nurislam Islamic Cultural Association, a spokesperson for the regional Interior Ministry said on Thursday.

The association opposed the constitutional order, the NRW authorities stated in the official Federal Gazette.

According to the Dortmund police, there was a police operation at a mosque and at the homes of association members on Thursday morning.

A police spokesperson said that the aim of the raids was to confiscate the association’s assets and seize data.

State Interior Minister Herbert Reul is due to comment on the ban and related searches later on Thursday.

GNA