Bergedorf Ditib Festival Gets Green Light After Speaker Changes
Hamburg, September 6, 2026 – The contentious festival organized by the Bergedorf Ditib community has been given the go-ahead to proceed next week on Frascatiplatz. This decision from the district office comes after further discussions with the organizers and the exclusion of several controversial speakers. Despite the approval, the Bergedorf FDP maintains its demand for the event’s cancellation.
For weeks, the organizers had promoted the event with the scheduled appearances of several preachers accused of hate speech. Sonja Jacobsen of the Bergedorf FDP and Islamism expert Eren Güvercin brought these concerns to public attention, leading to the disinvitation of seven guest speakers and preachers.
District Office Engages with Organizers
Cornelia Schmidt-Hoffmann (SPD), head of the Bergedorf district office, informed NDR that the district office made it clear to the festival organizers that it would not tolerate the presence of individuals who hold antisemitic or Islamist views at the event. The community, which is part of Ditib, a Turkish religious association with a state treaty with the City of Hamburg, has assured authorities that individuals under criticism will not participate.
FDP Criticizes State’s Inaction
The approval of the festival has drawn sharp criticism from FDP politician Jacobsen. She argues that Ditib can now continue its practices as before, implying that Islamic organizations can expect inquiries from the state regarding transparency and constitutional loyalty but no decisive action. Jacobsen, however, places responsibility not solely on the district but also on the Senate, which has established state treaties with Islamic religious communities.
Previous Controversies and Ongoing Scrutiny
This is not the first time the Bergedorf Ditib community has faced scrutiny regarding its invited guests. Previously, an influencer accused of Hamas propaganda was slated to appear at a Ditib festival in Hamburg-Bergedorf, drawing significant criticism. These recurring issues highlight ongoing concerns about the selection of speakers at events organized by the association.
Background on Ditib
Ditib (Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs) is one of the largest Islamic organizations in Germany. It operates numerous mosques and religious communities across the country. While it aims to promote Islamic religious life and integration, its close ties to the Turkish state’s Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) have frequently led to debates and criticism regarding its independence and influence on German society.
Public Safety and Event Management
The district office’s decision to permit the festival underscores a delicate balance between freedom of assembly and speech, and the imperative to prevent the dissemination of extremist or hateful ideologies. The ongoing dialogue between authorities and organizers suggests a proactive approach to managing potential risks associated with public events of this nature. However, critics like Jacobsen argue that such measures are insufficient and that a stronger stance is needed from governmental bodies.
Future Implications for Religious and Cultural Events
The outcome of this situation in Bergedorf could set a precedent for how similar events are handled in Hamburg and potentially other German cities. It highlights the complexities involved in overseeing cultural and religious gatherings, particularly when there are concerns about the political or ideological leanings of participants. The debate also reignites discussions about the nature of state treaties with religious organizations and the extent of governmental oversight in such partnerships.
The festival is expected to proceed as planned next week, with local authorities likely maintaining a close watch on its proceedings to ensure compliance with the agreed-upon conditions and to prevent any recurrence of the issues that led to the initial controversy.
Source: https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/hamburg/nach-ausladung-von-hasspredigern-ditib-darf-fest-in-bergedorf-ausrichten,ditib-154.html
