Vilnius mayor opposes new mosque construction as Muslim community remains divided

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas has declared his opposition to building a new mosque in the capital, arguing it would send the wrong signal to migrants, while local Muslims remain split over whether the project is necessary, LRT reports.

In a statement this week, Benkunskas said constructing a mosque would encourage large families from Islamic countries to settle in Vilnius, calling such a move “misguided” despite acknowledging freedom of religion. “Building places of worship, mosques, sends a signal for families to reunite, to come with many children and even multiple wives,” he told the lrytas.lt forum, adding that Lithuania should instead prioritise stricter language requirements for long-term residents.

The mayor reiterated his position on social media, emphasising that existing mosques in the Vilnius region—such as those in Nemėžis and Keturiasdešimt Totorių—already serve the community. Migration data shows most Muslim immigrants hold temporary permits, with only hundreds seeking permanent residency, he noted. “It would seem illogical to build a mosque for temporary residents,” Benkunskas stated.

His remarks follow recent photos of Muslims gathering for prayers in a Vilnius football arena, reigniting debates on integration and religious infrastructure. Lithuania currently has four active mosques, including historic Tatar mosques in Kaunas and Raižiai, but plans for a new Vilnius mosque have stalled for decades despite repeated discussions.

Muslim community leaders criticised the mayor’s stance. Paulius Bergaudas, chairman of the Islamic Centre and a Cambridge researcher, called the arguments “strange” and “anecdotal,” particularly the claim about polygamous families. “Perhaps in his imagination, a mosque is like a free apartment building or hotel that magically attracts immigrant families,” Bergaudas told LRT.lt, questioning whether the mayor’s comments implied Muslims should not stay in Lithuania long-term. “Family reunification is inevitable for long-term residents—so is the mayor suggesting they should leave?”