Mosque Blood Money Scandal: No Punishment Issued

Josephine Wismar

March 3, 2026
11:35 am

A Muslim association in Copenhagen that received public funding for choir singing and cooking classes, but operated a mosque where gang members negotiated blood money payments, will face no penalties and keep 1.5 million kroner in subsidies. The case has prompted Denmark’s church minister to announce a review of religious community laws.

No Consequences Despite Blood Money Negotiations

The Islamic Center for European Countries, known by its acronym ICEL, operates the Al-Hidayyah mosque in Copenhagen’s Northwest district. Police wiretaps revealed that gang members used the mosque premises to negotiate blood money settlements after murders during a violent gang conflict in 2021. According to the recordings, an imam set a financial amount intended to “cleanse” one party in the dispute.

Despite these revelations, ICEL will retain its status as a recognized religious community and keep all public funding it received. This outcome has sparked criticism from politicians across the political spectrum who argue the current legal framework fails to address such serious violations.

Government Documents Confirm Limited Action

The Ministry of Justice responded to a parliamentary question on February 6, 2025, confirming that blood money negotiations took place at the mosque following a murder and attempted murder. However, the ministry outlined no specific initiatives against the mosque at that time. The response came from Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard, who faced questions from members of the Danish People’s Party, Liberal Alliance, and Conservative People’s Party.

Church Minister Morten Dahlin now says the case demonstrates flaws in existing legislation. He believes the mere fact that blood money negotiations occurred in the mosque should trigger sanctions, regardless of whether mosque leadership was directly involved. Dahlin has difficulty accepting the association’s claim that it had no knowledge of the activities taking place in its building.

Blood Money Practice Contradicts Danish Law

Blood money negotiations typically involve financial compensation paid by perpetrators to victims or their families after crimes such as murder. The practice aims to achieve reconciliation and prevent further revenge attacks. In Islamic tradition, this concept is known as diya, where monetary payments can substitute for retribution in certain disputes.

Such arrangements are illegal in Denmark when they aim to influence criminal proceedings by pressuring victims or witnesses to withdraw complaints or remain silent. Justice Minister Hummelgaard stated in October 2024 that no one should be able to buy their way out of punishment with what he termed “100 camels,” emphasizing that Danish criminal law takes precedence over parallel justice systems. However, no prosecutions have resulted from the Al-Hidayyah case, and the mosque continues to operate without restriction.

Million-Kroner Subsidy Based on False Information

Beyond the blood money scandal, ICEL also received substantial public funding under questionable circumstances. Over ten years, the association collected 1.5 million kroner from Copenhagen Municipality for activities including choir singing, theater, and cooking classes. The funding was designated for educational and cultural programs serving the community.

The problem arose because ICEL failed to inform the municipality that it also operated a mosque. When applying for subsidies, the association signed declarations stating it did not conduct activities “characterized by worship or ecclesiastical functions,” which is a requirement for receiving support for so-called public enlightenment activities. This omission constitutes a clear violation of subsidy rules.

Municipality Declines to Recover Funds

Copenhagen Municipality initially assessed that the subsidies were unlawfully obtained. However, the city has now concluded that ICEL can keep all the money. Municipal officials determined that the association committed only a formal error rather than intentional fraud. They cite a principle of equal treatment, arguing that other organizations would not be required to repay funds in similar circumstances.

The municipality based its decision partly on ICEL’s own accounting and descriptions of activities. According to documents the association submitted, it organized creative workshops, football training, youth clubs, theater groups, and cooking clubs in its premises. Municipal officials concluded these activities justified the funding amounts, though critics question whether adequate verification occurred.

Politicians Reject Municipality’s Reasoning

Niels Peder Ravn, a Conservative member of Copenhagen’s city council and its public enlightenment committee, sharply criticizes the municipality’s approach. He argues the law is clear and rejects the characterization of ICEL’s violations as merely formal errors. Ravn questions how municipal administrators can verify that funds were actually used for claimed activities rather than to support mosque operations.

Peter Skaarup, spokesperson for immigration and integration issues for the Denmark Democrats party, expresses similar frustration. He describes the municipality as running what he calls a “soft approach operation” that provides subsidies even when rules are not followed. Skaarup plans to raise the matter with the culture minister to explore whether national authorities can intervene. He fears taxpayer money may have funded religious activities contrary to subsidy regulations.

Religious Community Status Remains Intact

The Church Ministry also investigated whether to revoke ICEL’s recognition as an official religious community. Such status provides significant benefits including tax advantages, authority to perform legally valid marriages, and the ability for religious leaders like imams to obtain residence and work permits in Denmark. Loss of recognition would eliminate these privileges.

After reviewing the case, the ministry decided against any sanctions. Officials noted that neither court documents nor police evidence showed mosque board members, daily management, or the imam actively participating in blood money negotiations. ICEL told the ministry that its leadership had no knowledge such meetings were taking place in the building.

Minister Questions Association’s Claims

Church Minister Morten Dahlin disagrees with his ministry’s conclusion. He acknowledges current regulations do not permit revoking recognition based on available evidence, but he believes this reveals gaps in the legal framework. Dahlin has initiated a review of laws governing recognized religious communities to determine what changes might prevent similar situations.

The minister expresses skepticism about ICEL’s insistence it knew nothing about the blood money negotiations. He finds it implausible that gang members would randomly enter a building from the street without the knowledge of those operating it. While acknowledging such a scenario is theoretically possible, Dahlin strongly doubts that is what occurred in this case.

Cross-Party Support for Stricter Rules

Politicians from multiple parties have called for stronger measures. Parliamentary questions submitted in late 2024 by members of the Danish People’s Party, Liberal Alliance, and Conservative People’s Party demanded initiatives to stop mosque-based mediation and impose consequences on Al-Hidayyah. The questions framed the mosque as functioning essentially as a Muslim court for gang members.

The Complaint Board is currently reviewing whether to launch a supervisory case against Copenhagen Municipality for its handling of the subsidy matter. That investigation is expected to conclude before summer 2026. Meanwhile, Copenhagen Municipality has advised ICEL to operate its non-religious activities through a separate organization. The association has now created a new entity called Cultural House NV that can receive future municipal funding.

Previous Controversies Surrounding the Mosque

Al-Hidayyah mosque has attracted critical attention before. In 2020, the newspaper Berlingske reported that ICEL was acting as an Islamic court. The article cited the center’s own description on the Church Ministry’s list of recognized religious communities, which stated that ICEL issues legal Islamic judgments and answers on all matters concerning the Islamic faith.

This characterization prompted then-Integration Minister Mattias Tesfaye to demand action against mosques operating what he called sharia courts. Tesfaye said he was “really angry deep in his stomach” about the practice. ICEL responded by issuing a press release strongly rejecting the newspaper’s characterization. The association stated its only legal authority was issuing official marriage certificates under permission from the Church Ministry.

Center Describes Broad Mission

ICEL’s website describes the organization as founded in 1991 as a religious, cultural, social, sports, and educational center. It states the center offers current services, attends to Muslims’ concerns, and resolves problems or conflicts they may encounter. This broad mission statement encompasses both religious worship and community support functions.

The center is located on Bispevej 4 in Copenhagen’s Northwest district, an area with significant immigrant populations. Al-Hidayyah mosque operates within the center’s building. The relationship between Denmark and its Muslim communities has grown more complex as integration challenges persist in certain neighborhoods.

Broader Debates About Mosque Oversight

The Al-Hidayyah case intersects with wider discussions about foreign influence on Danish mosques. A separate citizen proposal calling for closure of the Imam Ali Mosque due to alleged ties to Iran’s regime network has gathered over 8,000 signatures as of February 2026. If the proposal reaches 50,000 supporters by its August 2026 deadline, Parliament will be required to debate the matter.

While the Imam Ali Mosque situation differs from the Al-Hidayyah blood money scandal, both cases reflect public concern about mosque activities that may conflict with Danish values or law. These debates occur against a backdrop of broader integration policy discussions that have intensified in recent years. ICEL has not responded to media requests for comment on either the blood money revelations or the subsidy controversy. The association has declined multiple interview requests.