The construction of a new mosque in the city of Helsingør in the Nordsjælland region has sparked widespread political controversy within the municipal council, with parties divided between those who support the ban and those who oppose it, even though the project is in line with the applicable local plan, according to the DR website.
Political dispute over the construction project
The case concerns a request from the Helsingør Islamic Society to build a new 1,200-square-meter mosque spread over two floors, adjacent to the existing 412-square-meter building in the Egevænget area. While the project appears legal under the local plan, the Blue Bloc parties are attempting to block it by imposing a temporary injunction that would allow for amendments to the plan.
A vote is expected within the municipal council.
Members of the Helsingør municipal council are preparing to vote on the proposed ban during a scheduled meeting. The outcome of the vote will determine whether the project will be temporarily halted or allowed to continue. This vote reflects the clear political division between the parties.
Concerns about infrastructure and capacity
وتؤكد رئيسة بلدية هيلسينغور، بينيديكتا كيير Benedikte Kiær، المنتمية إلى حزب المحافظين، أن موقفها لا يتعلق بطبيعة المشروع الدينية، بل بالتحديات المرتبطة بالبنية التحتية. وتقول: “لا يتعلق الأمر بكونه مسجداً، بل بالنشاط والتحديات المرتبطة بالبنية التحتية ومواقف السيارات في المنطقة. لا توجد القدرة الاستيعابية لذلك”.
Kier explains that the current local plan is outdated, and that a large expansion of the mosque would put significant pressure on traffic and parking spaces, which the municipality considers unacceptable.
The Islamic Association points to increasing overcrowding
Journalists were unable to secure a direct interview with the Helsingør Islamic Association, but the association explained via social media that the existing mosque is under considerable pressure, particularly during Friday prayers. They confirmed that the number of worshippers has increased significantly over the past twenty years, forcing some to pray outside on grass due to insufficient space inside the mosque, according to DR.
Red parties call for dialogue
وفي المقابل، تعارض الأحزاب المنتمية إلى الكتلة الحمراء فرض الحظر، حيث ترى أن الحل يجب أن يكون عبر الحوار مع الجمعية بدلاً من اتخاذ قرار حاسم. ويؤكد عضو المجلس البلدي ورئيس كتلة حزب الشعب الاشتراكي SF، نوا جيمس دونكين Noah James Donkin، هذا الموقف قائلاً: “هذا إجراء مبالغ فيه للغاية. نعتقد أنه يجب إيجاد حل مشترك والدخول في حوار بدلاً من فرض حظر”.
Background of the decision in the Economic Committee
The Helsingør municipal council's economic committee had previously discussed the issue, with the blue parties voting in favor of the ban, while the red parties and the Moderates party opposed it. This vote reflects the ongoing political division on how to handle the project.
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