Have influencers become the new weapon of political Islam in Europe?

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She was once a model, a DJ, and a world kickboxing champion. Today, she has turned into a radical Islamist: meet the German Hanna Hansen.

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Hansen, whose real name is Victoria Stadtlander, has over 200,000 followers on Instagram and TikTok. She is now a prominent figure in the Islamist scene, prompting Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, to recently warn about the threat she poses.

She leverages her wide online reach to spread Islamist ideology, promote events, and deliver regular lectures in various cities, according to her social media accounts.

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Who is Hanna Hansen?

Born Victoria Stadtlander in Herford, western Germany, Hansen, 41, now lives in Cologne.

In 2004, she placed second in the Miss Germany contest before pursuing a career as a model in Paris, New York, Milan, and Berlin.

She also became known as an electronic music DJ, performing at parties in Singapore and elsewhere, adopting “Hanna Hansen” as her stage name.

Athletically, she won five German kickboxing titles and went on to become world champion in the sport. However, an eye injury forced her to retire in December 2022.

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A growing threat

According to the latest report from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution in North Rhine-Westphalia, Hansen maintains ties with prominent Islamist figures, both nationally and internationally.

Her videos, which directly target young girls, feature a calm and gentle tone, highlighting the faith and sense of meaning it brings to life. Her own personal story plays a crucial role in her narrative.

The Bavarian branch of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution recently noted that Hansen’s videos “appear at once relatable and provide guidance and identity,” thereby reaching “a young and broad audience.”

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Hansen presents herself as an approachable role model while promoting radical Salafist ideology as a new lifestyle, especially appealing to young women.

A story of conversion

According to Islamist expert Eren Güvercin, Hansen converted to Islam in 2021. At first, there were no signs of Islamist affiliation, and it was only later that she began actively preaching it.

Güvercin notes that she has since developed connections with other radical Salafist figures, such as Pierre Vogel and Sven Lau, who played a key role in reshaping her public image.

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Initially, she did not wear a veil, but eventually adopted full Islamic attire. These figures deliberately sought to recruit her, recognizing her potential as a highly relatable and influential personality.

Pierre Vogel, a preacher active since 2006, is notorious for his numerous lectures and accused of supporting militants in Syria. Sven Lau, one of Vogel’s followers, is suspected of recruiting individuals in Germany in 2013 to join the terrorist group ISIS.

Observers argue that Hansen and the network surrounding her reflect the growing danger of online recruitment, where radicalization is increasingly presented as an attractive “lifestyle” on digital platforms.

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