A week has passed since the terrorist bombings in New Zealand Christchurch, then a right-wing extremist shot and killed 50 people during Friday prayers in two mosques.
In a sunny Stockholm people gather at noon on Friday for prayer in the Stockholm mosque at Medborgarplatsen in central Stockholm. Two of them are Sara and Mona, who do not want to be involved with their surname. They tell us that last week’s terror attacks have shaken them.
” We have been afraid, and yesterday we discussed if we ever would go here in the day. But it felt bad that we had to be afraid, we shouldn’t have to be afraid to go to the mosque, ” says Mona, who visits the mosque regularly.
around A hundred had gathered at the Stockholm mosque during Friday prayers. Photo: Alexander Mahmoud
been afraid that what happened in Christchurch could happen here, but are glad that they decided to come here. To the mosque have, in addition to those who come to pray, even a hundred or so other people arrived and gathered around the building. This as a manifestation for muslims to pray in peace, without being afraid.
” It felt very nice during prayer and I felt safe. I am so glad that so many people come here just for us. I believe that love will win, ” says Sara.
was taken up during the prayer, says Ibrahim Moussa and Jemanesh Ibrahim, who was also on site during Friday prayers.
“It was emotional when they talked about what happened last week,” says Ibrahim Moussa.
Jemanesh Ibrahim with her husband Ibrahim Moussa. Photo: Alexander Mahmoud
He says he appreciates all the people who come to the mosque and how society is set up in different ways.
” You’re very unsure of the future when such a thing happens, and the fear that it could happen here, close to us. At the same time, I have a hope of Swedish society, that it will not happen, ” he says.
that they would like to see the police more frequently were at the mosque, not just after a terrorist attack has occurred.
I also think that there should be a greater awareness of islam, what we are doing and talking about in the mosque, so people are encouraged to understand us, “says Sara and Mona, fill in:
” Some are in the church, we are here. We are no extremists, but some think that everyone who goes to a mosque is there.
Cultural and trossamfundsminister Amanmda Lind (MP) participated in the manifestation in Stockholm mosque on Friday. Photo: Alexander Mahmoud
Amanda Lind (MP) participated in the manifestation at Stockolms mosque. She says that she has come to stand up against hatred, extremism and islamophobia, and for freedom of religion.
” of Course it has terrible deed brought very much fear on the part of muslims throughout the world, even in Sweden. Yesterday I met with representatives from various muslim religious communities to discuss these issues.
– Both to talk about the growing islamofobin and racism in society, but we are also structured with a national plan to combat racism and various forms of hate crime. As trossamfundsminister I am also responsible for that we support congregations and faith communities to make security enhancement efforts on, for example, mosques.
Read more: the victims of terrorism were honored at the Friday prayers
