SD and Moderates in Joint Effort to Stop Linköping’s First Mosque

In September 2021, the Urban Planning Committee of Linköping Municipality decided to allow for changes to the detailed development plan for part of the Lambohov district — to make possible the construction of a large mosque with room for thousands of people. The Sweden Democrats were the only party in the municipal council to vote against the proposal. Now, the Moderates are joining the opposition.

Behind the plan to build a 700 square meter, eleven-meter-high mosque in the municipality is the Islamic Association in Linköping. According to the Sweden Democrats, the parent organization United Islamic Associations in Sweden is in various ways linked to the Islamist network Muslim Brotherhood.

In addition to these problematic affiliations, the association is also said to have sought funding from foreign states, typically countries such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia in these contexts.

Apart from issues of Islamism and foreign financing, the Sweden Democrats also see a significant risk that a large mosque in Linköping will worsen the municipality’s already very serious and extensive problems with parallel societies and segregation.

S: No Problems

In a debate on national radio last year, the municipal executive board’s chairperson Kristina Edlund (S) assured that there were no risks associated with the project, citing that the municipality had conducted checks regarding the development. She also expressed hope that construction could start towards the end of 2026.

A majority of the municipality’s politicians support the mosque. Last week, the Linköping Sweden Democrats made clear that they would continue the fight and have submitted a committee initiative to stop the planned mosque construction in Lambohov.

Last week, it also became clear that the Moderates, who govern the municipality together with the Social Democrats, want to stop the construction. However, the Moderates do not appear to agree with the Sweden Democrats’ description of the potential risks, instead primarily citing a lack of available business land and expressing preference for companies to be able to develop the site.

– It’s not uncommon that we have to turn down new establishments, and it’s difficult for our growing companies to find new land. Therefore, as a matter of principle, the party has decided that we will not allocate land to religious organizations — regardless of which ones they are, says the Deputy Chair of the municipal executive committee, Niklas Borg (M), to Corren.

They also believe that municipal land should not be used by religious organizations, referring them instead to private landowners.

Pending a government inquiry, which through new regulations aims to counteract foreign funding of religious denominations, the administration is holding off and work on the new detailed plan is paused.

The Moderates’ about-face surprises Ali Osman, active in the Islamic Association in Linköping, who says the party was involved from the start and ensured they got the land. He also claims that the need for a new mosque in the area is so great that not even the new mosque will fully meet the demand.

IFIL – Islamic Association in Linköping. Facsimile

Greens’ Outrage

Gunnar Gustafsson (Greens), Deputy Chair of the Urban Planning Committee, is furious.

– They’re just making stuff up to attract SD voters. Stopping the mosque on the grounds of business land is utter nonsense and a way to single out one religion. We already have 52 hectares of designated business land that stands empty, he says.

Another person upset is the former Centre Party leader, Muharrem Demirok.

“I know those who lead the Moderates in Linköping. I know how hard they have worked to resist culture wars and refuse to give in to populist arguments. That’s precisely why this proposal concerns me,” he writes in a Facebook post.

“When the Moderates now say no to new congregation premises, unfortunately they are also saying no to allowing more people to plant their roots in our soil,” Demirok regrets.