Autonomous center in Wuppertal will be replaced by a Ditib-mosque
In the heart of Wuppertal, Germany, a contentious issue has arisen regarding the proposed construction of a mosque by the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (Ditib) and the potential displacement of the Autonomous Center (AZ) at the Gathe.
Murat Kayman, a former legal counsel of the Federal Association of Ditib, has been a vocal critic of Ditib's dependence on Ankara. He advocates for the transformation of Ditib into a German religious corporation, with the Turkish religious authority Diyanet serving only as a "religious advisor." However, Kayman's plans were thwarted by a lack of support from Ankara.
The idea for a mosque in Wuppertal has been around for 15 years, but it has only recently become more concrete. In 2023, a city council resolution was passed for its construction. The Ditib plans to build a mosque, along with a kindergarten, student and senior housing, and contribute to the upgrading of the neighborhood.
However, the proposed mosque's construction is facing strong opposition from autonomous activists, who are concerned about being evicted without a suitable replacement for the AZ. The activists held a neighborhood meeting on Wednesday to discuss their concerns with Ditib. As of now, the mosque and the autonomous activists are on opposite sides of the street.
The building and grounds of the Autonomous Center belong to the city, but no suitable replacement building has been presented to the Left. The city council elections in North Rhine-Westphalia are taking place next Sunday, and the future Wuppertal city council majority will likely decide the fate of the Autonomous Center.
Erol Uenal, another speaker at the meeting, grew up under the influence of the "Grey Wolves" and criticized the lack of confrontation with Turkish nationalist ideologies in Germany. The FDP opposes the mosque construction in Wuppertal, while the SPD, CDU, and Greens support the project.
The situation remains contested, with ongoing protests and no final decision reported as of September 2025. The action weekend began on Friday evening with a concert on Laurentiusplatz, featuring punk rock, canned beer, Aperol, and antipasti. Throughout the weekend, the autonomous activists carried out a series of actions, including a demo in a shopping center, actions against AfD election stands, and an SPD summer festival.
Kayman believes the city administration should provide a "constructive framework" for the Wuppertal issue. He advocates for a representative mosque construction, distancing Ditib from its reliance on Ankara. The future of the Autonomous Center and the proposed mosque remains uncertain, with the city council elections looming and the opposition showing no signs of backing down.
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