Overview
- The Bremer Office for the Verfassungsschutz launched a campaign on 4 November that warned of 'legalistic Islamism' and used a poster showing a wolf in sheep's clothing.
- The poster carried the text: "Freundlich im Auftreten. Antidemokratisch im Kern. Islamistische Unterwanderung ist eine Gefahr. Schaut hinter die Fassade," and aimed to highlight non-violent groups that seek influence by legal means.
- Local Muslim groups, including the Schura Bremen umbrella, said the public ads put Muslims under collective suspicion and left many people feeling deeply hurt.
- Innensenatorin Eva Högl said she "deeply regrets" the impact, judged the goal right but the execution wrong, and ordered the poster motif taken down early while related information stayed online without the image.
- Authorities say they will continue to monitor and counter legalistic Islamist efforts and now intend to rely more on cooperation with Muslim communities in Bremen and Bremerhaven to rebuild trust.