Petition Against Mosque Construction Stopped: “I Am Worried”

A petition opposing the planned construction of a mosque on Frösön has been removed from the campaign platform MittSkifte. The initiator, Birgitta Werner from Östersund, stated that the campaign had gathered around 280 signatures before it was shut down.

According to Werner, the purpose was to show that there is local opposition to the mosque project. She says she did not receive any detailed explanation as to why the campaign was removed. MittSkifte writes on its website that campaigns may be unpublished if they are deemed to violate the platform’s rules or go beyond what the organization considers acceptable.

The site is owned and operated by the non-profit association Skifte för Sverige, which is also behind the network Skiftet, formerly known as Alliansfritt Sverige. The secretary-general and founder Robin Zachari has previously worked for the Social Democrats.

After the shutdown, Werner has started a new petition on another platform. According to her, the new campaign has already received more signatures than the previous one.

– I want to show that there are people who are critical and who want the issue to be discussed openly, Werner told Jämtlands Tidning.

Concern for the Grandchildren’s Future

Werner says that her commitment stems from concerns over developments in Sweden, and that in her opinion, the issue does not only affect Östersund but also other towns where new mosques are planned or being built.

– This is not just about Östersund. Mosques are being built all over Sweden. I am worried, Werner told Kvartal, emphasizing that she is doing this for her grandchildren, whose future she is worried about.

Werner also testifies that several people have not dared to sign with their real names.

Salafists

The mosque project in question is run by the Muslim association Centrum för Fred, also known as Markaz as-Salam. The association has received planning permission to convert a property on Frösön into a mosque and community center. The financing of the project has previously received attention in local media.

A fundraising campaign for the purchase of the property has reportedly collected around six million SEK, and further funds are being raised for the renovation of the building.

Jämtlands Tidning has previously reported on connections between the fundraising work and the campaign “Vi mår bra.” The researcher Aje Carlbom described in the newspaper parts of the network around the campaign as being connected to Salafist circles, while representatives of the mosque project have denied claims that the activities are guided by such ideas.

The issue has also drawn the interest of the municipality. After earlier reports, Östersund Municipality requested that the Security Service (Säpo) investigate information regarding the financing. According to the municipality, no irregularities were found.