Germany's Invisible Threat of Legalistic Islamism

The Invisible Threat

When we think of societal threats, we often imagine dramatic, violent events like a knife attack or a car plowing through a Christmas market.

But sometimes, the danger is quieter and far more insidious. It’s peaceful, non-violent, and it slowly creeps into societal structures, making it much harder to detect and prevent. The most terrible attacks often target society’s most vulnerable members.

In a small German town, an Afghan man with mental health issues, who should have been deported long ago, launched a brutal stabbing spree against nursery children during a trip to a local park. This happened only a few days ago. His attack killed a two-year-old Moroccan toddler and an adult man who tried to protect the children. While this violent incident is horrifying, it’s not the only kind of threat we face.

The recurring violence, particularly among Arab men in Germany, doesn’t always stem from terrorist groups or online radicalization. A less obvious force may be at work: the non-violent spread of an Islamic worldview. This ideology isn’t violent or illegal by itself, but it directly opposes liberal democratic values like freedom, equality, and pluralism.

The Covert Rise of Legalistic Islamism

In response to this quiet threat, German intelligence coined a term some years ago: "Legalistic Islamism." Although no longer used by federal intelligence agencies, it is still used by some state agencies. This refers to individuals and organizations that appear law-abiding on the surface but work covertly to introduce Islamist values into society over time, eventually normalizing them.

Some of the most prominent organizations classified as "legalistic Islamist" have strong ties to strict ideologies. These include the Turkish Millî Görüş movement, the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood's affiliate (DMG), and groups like the Islamisches Zentrum Hamburg (IZH), which has long been connected to the Iranian regime. The IZH was shut down in the summer of 2023 due to its direct affiliations with the Ayatollah’s regime. Despite this, groups like these are skilled at presenting themselves as law-abiding organizations, pretending to respect German laws and democratic norms.

At the core of legalistic Islamism is the belief in a universal order ordained by Allah. A universal order that governs every aspect of life, from politics to social norms. As Israeli-Palestinian psychologist Ahmad Mansour, puts it: "Islam, according to this conviction, is not only a personal and private matter but also a legal and political one." This view rejects key democratic principles such as individuality, pluralism, equality, freedom of opinion, secularism, and popular sovereignty. For these groups, democracy isn’t a system of governance. It’s something to be subverted and replaced.

The Subtle Strategy of Legalistic Islamism

Unlike the violent extremists or the Salafi preachers who openly recruit and radicalize, legalistic Islamists employ a more subtle, strategic approach. They seem to be law-abiding citizens, advocating for the reconciliation of Islamic and European values. They present themselves as the “moderates,” the “enlightened” Muslims who could enrich societies built on tolerance and democracy. But this is a facade.The reality is much darker.

Legalistic Islamists use the freedoms of democratic societies - like Germany's - to push their agenda. As Syrian-German scholar Bassam Tibi warns, their ultimate goal is to introduce Sharia law into secular Europe, starting as a “cultural right” and eventually becoming a totalizing system. This is a long-term strategy that threatens the very foundation of Western democracies.

There are significant barriers to counteracting legalistic Islamism. While German intelligence is aware of the issue, it cannot take action against these organizations unless they can prove overt aggression. Legalistic Islamists are careful to avoid any behavior that would give authorities a clear reason to ban them. Their “law-abiding” status makes it nearly impossible to take them down by conventional means.

I faced this reality firsthand while researching legalistic Islamism at Columbia University. When I tried to publish my findings, the administration insisted I omit key details. In a university known for its Hamas-supporting and anti-Semitic tendencies, the “academic freedom” to explore this issue was severely restricted. Other researchers who have studied this phenomenon - such as Susanne Schröter, Ahmad Mansour, and Hamed Abdel-Samad - have faced death threats and public backlash for their work. They were forced to endure suppression and intimidation.

This covert, non-violent strategy has profound consequences for society. While legalistic Islamism may not manifest as visible violence, it undermines democratic values and makes space for further radicalization. And the most vulnerable members of society, the children, are often the ones who bear the brunt of this ideological battle. They grow up in environments where tolerance, equality, and secularism are steadily eroded by the very systems designed to protect them.

The Urgent Need for Action

Legalistic Islamism poses a serious threat to our democratic values, and authorities must act swiftly. But this isn't just about laws. It's about raising public awareness, supporting researchers, and empowering journalists to expose the dangers at hand.

We owe it to our children to take this threat seriously and stop hiding behind legal categories that protect those who seek to undermine our society. We must support those who fight to uncover the truth, without fear of persecution.This isn't just about protecting democracy; it's about ensuring a future where freedom, equality, and tolerance are upheld. We must confront this challenge now for the sake of our most vulnerable.

Franziska Alexandra Sittig

Journalist | Researcher on terrorism, counterterrorism, and public safety