The Church of Sweden in Eslöv has filed a police report against a Muslim man who for a long period has disrupted activities at Eslöv Church. The man, who has become known locally as the ‘Quran Man’ after both chanting about Islam and praying publicly, is said by the church and local residents to have repeatedly interrupted masses and services by shouting about Allah outside the church. The vicar has meanwhile downplayed the seriousness, saying he did not personally find the situation particularly disturbing, but also emphasized that freedom of religion is important.

The Muslim man has attracted attention in Eslöv for some time by playing Quran verses at Stora torg and later making his presence known at Norrevångsskolan and Eslövshallen.

For a period, he lived in a car in the area, which caused concern among residents and businesses. Eventually, the municipality enlisted the help of both the police and the Enforcement Authority (Kronofogden) to remove the vehicle.

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Problems have now resurfaced at Eslöv Church and have been ongoing since at least the beginning of March. According to the police report, the man has, among other things, shouted ‘Allah’ in a way that both worshipers and nearby residents found disturbing.

Several local residents describe how the Muslim man also moves around the church during the evening for extended periods, making loud noises.

– He shouts loudly and almost moans, a resident told the local newspaper Skånska Dagbladet.

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Patrik Johansson, vicar in Eslöv, states that he experienced the situation himself during a church service. According to Johansson, the man moves around the church and chants loudly, and the vicar says the Muslim man has a powerful voice.

At the same time, Patrik Johansson says he did not personally find the disturbance particularly significant, but that several worshipers were affected and struggled to ignore the incident. The vicar has previously commented that he will ‘look into it further’ and that his first approach is to try to establish some form of dialogue with the Muslim man.

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The church has previously held off from taking action against the Muslim man, but now says the situation has gone too far following complaints from worshipers. At the same time, the vicar continues to describe the issue as complicated, as it deals with the balance between freedom of religion and other people’s right to practice their faith without disturbance.

– Freedom of religion is important—being able to practice your religion. The problem is when you disturb others in their right to practice their faith. And that’s where it gets tricky. I have no issue with him walking around Eslöv Church, but I am concerned when he does so during our services, the vicar told Skånska Dagbladet.

The police are now involved, and the Muslim man’s actions at the church are being investigated as suspected harassment.

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