Tatars say second muftiate leaves their community sidelined

LRT reports that Lithuania’s Tatar community says the registration of a second muftiate has left it on the margins, as authorities respond to a biker protest at Kaunas Mosque by reviewing security and migration policy.

Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas said the incident was a result of public dissatisfaction with migration. He said he would soon present new proposals on migration policy, which he expects to become stricter.

Representatives of all parliamentary parties agree that changes are needed, but some warn that completely ending migration would leave certain jobs without workers.

Representatives of Lithuania’s Muslim community said they had nothing to do with migration policy. They said people come to Lithuania for jobs and residence permits, adding that the Muslim community and Islam are part of the Republic of Lithuania.

Friday prayers at Kaunas Mosque have recently attracted more people than the building can accommodate, with some worshippers praying outside.

Former Kaunas Mayor Andrius Kupčinskas said the gatherings raised traffic and safety concerns. Mufti Aleksandras Beganskas responded that people should understand that the Muslim community and Islam are part of Lithuania.

Kaunas authorities said cameras would now monitor the area around the mosque to help maintain public order.

The measure follows an incident last Friday, when bikers gathered during Muslim prayers, raised a pig’s head, played music and chanted. Police have opened a pretrial investigation, and the interior minister has asked the State Security Department to examine the incident and the muftiate’s leadership.

Politicians welcomed the move, although some highlighted possible threats linked to the Muslim community. Conservative leader Laurynas Kasčiūnas said worshippers should be respected, but claimed tensions had begun earlier after the mosque administration had demanded that Kaunas residents follow its rules.

In late June, the mosque administration posted a request on social media asking people not to display physical affection “too openly” on the institution’s premises.

“Peasants” party leader Aurelijus Veryga said there could be various threats related to external and internal security, as well as possible tensions involving the Muslim Brotherhood.

Other politicians said the State Security Department should also assess the protesters and determine whether the incident had been inspired by unusual groups. Social Democratic Party parliamentary group member Laurynas Šedvydis said public comments suggested that some of those involved did not know why they were taking part.

Politician Vytautas Sinica has proposed transferring the mosque to the Tatars, who previously owned it. He said he had helped raise public awareness of what he described as a threat from mass immigration and representatives of Islamic countries.

Motiejus Jakubauskas, chairman of the Union of Tatar Communities, said the community had previously operated with one muftiate without problems. “But when a second muftiate was registered, which practically represents immigrants, our issue and our community were left on the margins,” he said.

The interior minister said the issue was broader than the incident and concerned migration policy, which he said had created tensions in society.