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Berlin Mosque ‘Fussilet 33’ Shuts Down | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Picture shows the building with the Fussilet 33 mosque in Berlin Moabit, Germany, © Christian Mang / Reuters


Cologne- Days after a German ministry of interior official announced issuing a closing order against the Fussilet 33 by the end of February, those responsible for the Mosque decided to shut down the place of worship once and for all.

German dailies published footage showing the mosque’s premise under lockdown, with a poster reading that the place has been shut for good.

It is worth noting that the mosque is being shut down by the decision of the owners and funders, despite authorities still working on piecing in together the evidence sufficient to ban the mosque officially.

A local German broadcaster was the first to circulate the news of shutting down Fussilet 33, broadcasting that the front door plate with the Mosque’s name has been removed.

Fussilet 33 is subject to tight security surveillance since 2015 on charges of inciting hatred and links between those attending the mosque and terror acts.

The mosque was placed under mass scrutiny after Anis Amri, 24, who is a concurrent visitor to Fussilet 33, staged the unspeakable terrorist attack on December 19.

Amri, who killed 12 people and injured more than 50 others when he drove his truck into a crowded Christmas market on December 19, was often filmed visiting the mosque, including the day of the attack.

Berlin authorities have been debating a possible ban of Fussilet 33 since 2015.

Berlin police spokesman Winfried Wenzel said officials were taking note of the decision of no longer using the building.

‘Of more importance to the Berlin police is the question where potential perpetrators may turn to next,’ he said.