Pro-Caliphate Protests Becoming Commonplace in Germany

Hamburg Witnesses Regular Pro-Caliphate Protests

The first pro-caliphate protest in Hamburg, Germany, earlier this year sparked a wave of concern and outrage in the German media. However, it now appears that such protests are becoming a regular event. Following previous demonstrations advocating for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate in Germany, another protest on Sunday night called for the introduction of Sharia law in Germany, attracting thousands of attendees. Videos from the event showed large crowds of Islamists chanting "Allahu Akbar" and other pro-Islamic slogans.

Muslim Interaktiv Organizes Protests

Muslim Interaktiv, the organization behind these demonstrations, reported that 5,000 people participated. The group is known for organizing rallies in Germany, including protests against Israel's war in Gaza in Palestine.

Authorities' Response to Protests

Previous protests were met with indifference. Hamburg's police chief, Frank Schnabel, stated in April that he saw no legal grounds for banning the organization. Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann echoed this sentiment, stating that the call for a caliphate is "politically absurd" but not a punishable offense. Thomas Haldenwang, the head of Germany’s Office of the Protection of the Constitution, a powerful domestic spy agency, also dismissed the caliphate protests, stating they are a "conceivable" form of government. Haldenwang has been notably vocal in his opposition to the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and has spoken out against the party in a highly politicized manner.

Comparison of Treatment of Different Groups

In contrast, German teenagers who danced and sang "Auslander Raus" ("Foreigners Out") faced arrest and significant police responses. Teens caught on video singing the song faced public backlash, resulting in job losses and negative media attention. In the most famous case on the island of Sylt, German left-wing politicians called for the "maximum penalty" and years in prison against those caught singing the song at private events.

Is a Caliphate Possible in Germany?

For those who believe demographics is destiny, the idea of a caliphate in Germany may not sound so absurd. Germany’s Muslim population is expected to grow rapidly, and for those who adhere to a hard-line form of Islam, they are likely to see even faster population growth due to their fundamentalist interpretation of the Quran and higher birth rates. Such powerful demonstrations as seen in Hamburg may also serve to recruit more Muslims into their ranks, especially with authorities showing they have no effective tool to call off such demonstrations. These protests are presumably protected by freedom of speech. However, the call for the implementation of Sharia law, which would in theory jeopardize Germany’s democratic constitutional order, is treated with a laugh and a shrug by top politicians. Meanwhile, calls to close Germany’s borders and drastically reduce immigration are treated as near terroristic threats by the state security services.

Future Implications

As previously reported by Remix News, Pew Research predicted that up to 75 million Muslims could live in Europe by 2050. In Germany, this number could reach 17.4 million Muslims. Over the coming decades, their strength could grow and they could have serious political influence in countries like Germany. That means such demonstrations may not only become more and more frequent, but also be coupled with voting blocs and political power. The fact that Germany is now openly sending weapons to Israel amid monumental conflicts in the Middle East may only fuel further terror attacks aimed against the nation.

Downplaying of Caliphate Protests

German politicians may continue to downplay the issue of these caliphate protests, along with the various other social ills due to mass immigration, but they are only set to get worse. The data and trends all point in that direction. The question now is only how hard these same politicians and security services will come down on anyone pointing out these trends, and especially those actively opposing them.

Bottom Line

The rise in pro-caliphate protests in Germany is a trend that cannot be ignored. Despite the dismissive attitudes of some authorities, the potential implications of these demonstrations and the growth of the Muslim population in Germany are significant. It raises questions about the future of Germany's democratic constitutional order and the potential for increased political influence from hard-line Islamic groups. What are your thoughts on this matter? Share this article with your friends and join the conversation. Sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered every day at 6pm.