Federal Ministry funds Islamic Welfare Center linked to Milli Görüş despite security concerns

The Federal Ministry of the Interior has approved continued financial support for the Islamic Competence Center for Welfare, a coalition of Muslim organisations that receives state funds for the coming years. Members include the Turkish-Islamic Union DITIB, the Central Council of Muslims in Germany and the Islam Council, whose chairman Burhan Kesici sparked controversy with statements about homosexual couples. Ali Kızılkaya, a representative of the Islam Council, also holds the position of deputy chair of the centre.

The centre’s largest constituent, the Islamic Community Milli Görüş, is flagged by Bavarian and Baden-Württemberg security services as having extremist connections, with authorities estimating around 1,400 individuals linked to the movement. Experts note that the Milli Görüş network is dominated by the Islam Council and traces its ideological roots to founder Necmettin Erbakan, described as an Islamist and anti-Semite. Questions have been raised about the oversight of public funds to organisations under security surveillance, though the ministry cites legal and administrative controls to ensure compliance.