In Germany, there is a growing number of radical Islamic preachers spreading extremist views and posing a threat to the free democratic order. One such figure is Ibrahim al-Azzazi, a Salafist preacher who has gained prominence through his reach on social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
Born and raised in Germany, al-Azzazi has been under surveillance by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution for years. Despite his German roots, he rejects aspects of Western culture. Instead, he advocates for a return to an Islamic theocracy governed by Sharia law. He openly defends questionable views without hesitation.
With tens of thousands of followers on TikTok, al-Azzazi is classified as an Islamist by German authorities. He is now facing potential prosecution. The Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office has charged him with, among other things, incitement to hatred.
The questions about Islam that the self-proclaimed Sheikh answers on TikTok initially seem harmless:
- Can you play football in a mosque? Yes, as long as nothing gets damaged. Can Muslims celebrate birthdays? No.
These are questions likely asked by young Muslims, some seeking advice, others just looking to provoke:
- Can I pray while wearing makeup? Can Muslims live in Schweinfurt?
The intent behind the questions doesn’t matter to al-Azzazi. As a German with Egyptian roots, dressed in flowing white robes, he assumes the role of a stern religious scholar. This has earned him the title Sheikh Ibrahim.
Whether mundane or controversial, the self-appointed cleric answers all questions with a serious tone, rarely citing any sources from religious texts. He gives his audience the impression that there are clear, universally applicable answers to all aspects of life. This approach resonates with many, earning him tens of thousands of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. His videos garner millions of views, even though his channels are repeatedly taken down by platform operators.
Al-Azzazi is considered a Salafist, opposed to democracy. His activities have been monitored by the German intelligence service for years, and he is now wanted by authorities. Beneath the surface of his seemingly innocuous topics lie incendiary messages. He has claimed that, according to “many scholars,” Muslims are forbidden from voting, working as cashiers at Aldi, or crafting Advent calendars in kindergartens. He has also stated that women need a guardian to travel and recently told a German newspaper that corporal punishments like those practiced in Afghanistan are justified if prescribed by Allah.
In Bavaria, al-Azzazi was indicted this summer, partly for incitement to hatred. According to the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation, proceedings were initiated after al-Azzazi referred to Yazidis as “devil worshipers” in a video. While the video has since been deleted, the legal proceedings have stalled because al-Azzazi is reportedly in hiding. Munich authorities confirm that his whereabouts are unknown. “As soon as the accused is apprehended, the legal process will continue,” stated the Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office, which has issued a warrant for his arrest.
Al-Azzazi appears unfazed by accusations that his content is undemocratic, misogynistic, or homophobic. “I don’t take the intelligence service seriously. They can write whatever they want,” he said in a 2022 documentary by the YouTube channel Y-Kollektiv.
Al-Azzazi has had several encounters with authorities. In 2020, he was briefly detained after calling for a boycott of French products following the murder of teacher Samuel Paty, who was beheaded by an Islamist student in France. This year, the Essen Regional Court convicted him in the first instance on two counts for allegedly injuring and strangling his wife. In a video, al-Azzazi referred to his wife as a kafir (non-believer). The verdict is not yet final.
Even if al-Azzazi has now gone into hiding, his hundreds of videos ensure his continued presence on social media. His content is also featured on the channels of the German-Speaking Muslim Community (DMG) association, which operates a mosque in Lower Saxony. Alongside figures like Pierre Vogel and Abul Baraa, he has appeared in their videos. In June, the DMG was banned in Lower Saxony for promoting discrimination against non-believers, women, and Jews. The mosque in Braunschweig was closed, and numerous house searches, including one targeting al-Azzazi, were conducted. Nevertheless, the association’s videos remain accessible.
On social media, numerous Salafists like al-Azzazi vie for attention, dominating the discourse on Islam. The war in Gaza has led to a surge in such videos, as emotions like anger and outrage are useful for drawing people toward radical ideologies.
Authorities are largely powerless against the flood of Salafist content online. Deleted videos quickly reappear on new channels. And once someone shows an interest in conservative ideologies, they are often redirected to platforms like Telegram or Discord, where even more radical content awaits—sometimes culminating in calls for violence.
The reach of Salafists is not limited to the digital realm. Al-Azzazi frequently appears in mosques across German-speaking regions. He also promotes pilgrimages to Mecca and was recently believed to be traveling in Mauritania. On Instagram, he solicits donations for flood victims. This video was published on November 15. Ibrahim al-Azzazi continues to operate unabated.
