"Their plan is to demolish our homes, prompting us to relocate to the city center"
In the heart of Wuppertal, a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, a contentious debate is unfolding over the proposed construction of a mosque. The autonomists, fearing eviction from their center to make way for the new mosque, have been organizing protests.
The city council passed a resolution for the mosque construction back in 2023, but the issue has remained a hot topic, particularly in light of recent geopolitical events. The proposed mosque, slated for Gathe Street, would be an Islamic Centre affiliated with Ditib, a Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs.
Murat Kayman, who served as the legal counsel of the Federal Association of Ditib from 2014 to 2017, has expressed concerns about Ditib's involvement in the Wuppertal mosque construction. Kayman, who began engaging with Ditib following the September 11, 2001 attacks in his hometown of LΓΌbeck, has sought to transform Ditib into an independent German religious corporation with the Turkish religious authority Diyanet serving as a "religious advisor."
The autonomists, however, are vehemently opposed to the proposed mosque construction. They want to bring the issue into the public debate, despite efforts by parties SPD/CDU and Greens to keep it out of the election campaign. The local dialogue committee has paused discussions ahead of the election, causing further controversy.
Last weekend, approximately 50 autonomists attempted to bring a gold-yellow armchair into the Von der Heydt Museum. The armchair, spray-painted with the words "Oi" and "Punk" on the cushion, was returned to the street after the attempt. The police showed little interest in the cultural encounter at the museum.
The mosque project includes plans for a kindergarten, student and senior housing, and neighborhood upgrading. The FDP opposes the mosque, while the AfD opposes both the mosque and the Autonomous Center. The Left, "The Party," and the SPD, CDU, and Greens, however, support the mosque project in Wuppertal.
Despite the controversy, Kayman believes the city administration should provide a "constructive framework" for mosque construction. He doubts Ditib's involvement in the Wuppertal mosque construction process and views Ditib's dependence on Ankara critically, particularly in terms of board appointments.
The discussion about the mosque construction in Wuppertal is very tense, with both sides passionately advocating for their positions. The AZ community and supporters strongly oppose the proposed demolition of their center and the lack of a replacement, while the city council and politics plan to proceed with the development plan and sale of the land after the NRW municipal election on September 14, 2025.
Erol Γnal, formerly of the Alevitic Youth's Extremism Prevention Office, discussed growing up under "Grey Wolves" and his detachment from right-wing ideology during a recent cultural encounter at the museum. The event, which was largely ignored by the police, symbolized the actions of autonomists throughout the weekend in Wuppertal.
As the election approaches, the future of the Autonomous Center and the proposed mosque remains uncertain. The community and supporters of both sides continue to voice their opinions, hoping to influence the decision-making process in Wuppertal.
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