In recent weeks, Germany has witnessed a surge in violent incidents involving Afghan migrants and asylum seekers, raising serious concerns about the impact of mass migration from countries and regions that are utterly alien to Europe and European culture.
From random knife attacks to terrorist plots, these events suggest that a dangerous ideological influence, rooted in political Islam, may be driving some of these individuals to commit violent acts in the country that has taken them in.
In the latest series of attacks, a 24-year-old Afghan ‘asylum seeker’ in the peaceful town of Hochdorf, located in the Swabian Alb, randomly stabbed a 56-year-old local man near a migrant shelter last Saturday. The victim, who did not know the attacker, was left shocked by the unprovoked violence. Just a day later, in Munich, a 20-year-old Afghan approached a 36-year-old man at a bus stop, demanded cash, and after receiving 200 euros, stabbed the victim repeatedly, leaving him to collapse in a pool of blood.
These incidents are not isolated. In Gera, two Afghan refugees are facing trial for planning a terrorist attack in Stockholm, motivated by the recent burning of the Koran there. Their goal was to kill at least ten people as “revenge.” Meanwhile, in Einsiedeln, Switzerland, a 17-year-old Afghan desecrated a revered religious statue during a full church service, adding to the growing list of disturbing acts.
But the most alarming revelations come from a series of statements made by radicalized Afghan refugees in Munich earlier this year. A group of young men openly declared their desire to turn Germany into an Islamic state governed by Sharia law, even discussing using explosives to attack “the enemies of Islam.” These declarations reflect a mindset fueled by a deep-seated belief in the superiority of their ideology over the values of the host country.
This pattern of violence and radical rhetoric is not new. The trial of 25-year-old Afghan Sulaiman A., responsible for a terrorist attack on a political rally in May, is set to take place in February, bringing to light the deepening influence of radical beliefs among some Afghan refugees. The severity of the crimes committed by Afghan refugees in Germany is also reflected in the high proportion of these individuals involved in violent sexual assaults, particularly group rapes.
So, why are some Afghan refugees showing such brutality in return for the hospitality extended to them by Germany? The answer lies in the radical ideology of political Islam, which has deeply influenced Afghan society for decades. According to a 2013 Pew Research Institute study, 99% of Afghans support the implementation of Sharia law. For many of the refugees coming to Germany, these ideological beliefs are not a distant past, but a deeply ingrained part of their worldview.
Under Taliban rule, Afghan society has been structured around strict interpretations of Sharia law. Women are subjugated by harsh gender roles, forced to wear burqas, and denied basic rights. Girls are married off at a young age, and public behavior is tightly controlled. Political Islam, which fosters hostility toward non-Muslims, is widely accepted, and violence in the name of jihad is often seen as legitimate.
For Afghan refugees who have internalized these beliefs, adapting to the liberal values of the West can be difficult, if not impossible. The cultural and ideological clash between the societies is evident in the growing violence, as these individuals struggle to reconcile their radical beliefs with the freedoms and values they encounter in Germany.
The situation presents a growing challenge for policymakers, who must address the ideological underpinnings of radicalization while ensuring the safety and integration of refugees. Without a concerted effort to tackle political Islam and radicalization, the cycle of violence may only intensify. The clash between these deeply held beliefs and democratic values is an issue that cannot be ignored if Germany is to prevent further escalation of such violent acts.
