By
Yehia Abu-Zakaria, IOL Correspondent
STOCKHOLM,
October 22 (IslamOnline.net) – Swedish Muslims, enjoying a Ramadan
spiritual atmosphere, were shocked by the brutal slaying of an
8-year-old Muslim child in what police said could be an ethnically
motivated crime
Mohamed
Amorri was slaughtered by an unknown murderer while on his way to
school with his sister Iman.
Sources
close to Swedish security circles said ethnic motives may be behind
the killing of the child of Iraqi descent.
Father
of the slain child expressed deep shock over the death of his innocent
child that took place during the early hours of Tuesday, October 19,
according to Swedish newspapers.
Mosques
Active
The
horrible incident overshadowed intensified Islamic activities during
this holy month through Swedish cities, with mosques busy with several
programs designed to create a better understanding of Islam and
Muslims in the Swedish community.
“The
mosque prepared a stepped-up program that begins at dawn where Fajr
prayers are performed, followed by a daily seminar,” Sheik Hassan
Mousa,
Stockholm
grand mosque imam told IslamOnline.net.
“From
the Zhuhr (
noon
) prayer until the Maghrib (sunset) prayer, scholars and imams are
available to answer questions about fasting, Islamic jurisprudence and
other issues of interest,” he added.
The
Stockholm
imam went on saying during Ramadan, mosques teem with Muslims at times
of prayers, especially Tarawih.
Annual
Plan
|
|
Mosques hold intensive Ramadan activities |
The
Stockholm
mosque has also adopted a plan to clear the image of Islam and Muslims
in the Swedish community.
“The
mosque has various programs as part of an annual plan to give
religious lessons in both Arabic and Swedish,” Mousa said.
“It
also gives lessons to Muslims and non-Muslims on the Arabic language
and refute allegations leveled against Islam.”
The
mosque also supervises a female association and invites scholars and
imams from abroad to tackle women issues.
The
Stockholm
mosque further supervises a school to teach Arabic, Islamic education
and Qur’an issues to Swedish children.
The
Swedish Muslim scout institution of the mosque also plays a leading
role in educating the Swedish children on Islamic principles.
Islam
has become the second official religion in Sweden after Christianity,
despite the fact that the Muslim community is a relatively new one,
unlike that of other European countries such as
France.
The
first mosque was built in
Sweden
in 1976. The Swedish constitution allows Muslims to build mosques and
Islamic schools.
Sweden
also seats around 145 Islamic societies affiliated to three central
Islamic unions, in addition to scores of mosques, praying halls and
Islamic centers everywhere in the country.
