Aarhus Byråd (Aarhus City Council)

City Council to consider Wednesday recommendation on antisemitism and Islamophobia after arson attempt

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Document date: 7. oktober 2026
Section: City council
Status: Beta
Source: Aarhus Kommune meeting documents — Aarhus Byråd 7 October 2026 · item 18 (agenda + recommendation + note + proposal + signed transcript) ↗

Summary

On Wednesday 7 October 2026, Aarhus Byråd (Aarhus City Council) will consider the administration’s response to Radikale Venstre’s proposal for a targeted effort against discrimination, including antisemitism and Islamophobia. The case stems from an attempted arson on the night of 26 May 2026 against the property on Nørre Allé, which among other things houses the mosque of Aarhus Islamisk Menighed, and concerns how the municipality will in future uncover incidents and strengthen security around religious institutions.

What this means for you

If you use a mosque, synagogue, church or other faith communities in Aarhus, this is the case about whether the municipality should proceed with a more systematic effort to uncover antisemitism and Islamophobia — or settle for noting the existing effort, discussing the threat picture with the police and sharing information on prevention. The recommendation from Magistratsafdelingen for Sociale Forhold og Beskæftigelse points to the latter course, while Enhedslisten and Radikale Venstre have tabled an amendment that would strengthen dialogue with faith communities.

Background

Radikale Venstre tabled a motion on 10 June 2026 submitted by Metin Lindved Aydin (spokesperson) and Mahad Yussuf. The proposal asked Byrådet (City Council) to take a clear stand against the arson attempt, uncover the extent of incidents related to antisemitism and Islamophobia, and request Borgmesterens Afdeling (the mayor’s department) to enter into dialogue with faith communities, civil-society organisations and authorities on security around religious institutions.

At the city council meeting on 17 June 2026, item 1 was adopted, while items 2 and 3 were referred to Magistratsafdelingen for Sociale Forhold og Beskæftigelse for a recommendation. The recommendation of 2 September 2026 briefs Byrådet (City Council) on the administration’s overall work with the target group. Concerns about extremism or radicalisation are handled in the Infohusene, while violations of the law are a matter for the police.

According to the recommendation, Infohuset states that there is not assessed to be increased concern about antisemitism and Islamophobia, and that other themes to a greater extent characterise work with the target group. Magistraten (Municipal Executive) recommended on 15 September 2026 that Byrådet (City Council) approve the recommendation. Radikale Venstre and Danmarksdemokraterne entered reservations, and a note was to be prepared on current efforts regarding antisemitism and an assessment of whether there may be an increase in the national figures.

On 23 September 2026, Byrådet (City Council) referred the case to Social- og Beskæftigelsesudvalget (Social Affairs and Employment Committee) with the amendment from Enhedslistens de Rød-Grønnes and Radikale Venstre’s city council groups.

Figures and facts

On the night of 26 May 2026, a building on Nørre Allé, which among other things houses the mosque of Aarhus Islamisk Menighed, was subjected to an attempted deliberate arson. (Appendix — Appendix 1: Motion RV 08.06.2026)
Item 1 of the motion was adopted on 17 June 2026; items 2 and 3 were referred to the administration. (Agenda — Response to proposal from RV on targeted effort against discrimination, including antisemitism and Islamophobia)
Infohus Aarhus reports that in 2025 and 2026 there have been two cases relating to antisemitism and/or Islamophobia — as concern about developments in this area, not necessarily as established antisemitism or Islamophobia. (Appendix — Recommendation)
A police report on prevention of extremism in Danish municipalities, which the recommendation refers to, reports that antisemitism was a factor in 10 percent of Infohus cases in 2023–2024, while Islamophobia was not mentioned as a concerning factor in any of the cases. (Appendix — Recommendation)
The administration proposed that Social- og Beskæftigelsesudvalget (Social Affairs and Employment Committee) discuss the threat picture with the police on 28 September 2026. (Appendix — Recommendation)
Aarhus Kommune proposes sharing the website www.antiradikalisering.aarhus.dk with religious institutions and faith communities. (Appendix — Note MSB 24.09.2026 (added 25.09.2026))

Who said what

Metin Lindved Aydin (RV) has emphasised in city council debate that Byrådet (City Council) must respond clearly to the arson attempt and work more systematically on uncovering incidents and dialogue, so that everyone can practise their faith without fear.

Hüseyin Arac (S) has stressed that no religious buildings should be subjected to attack, and that the police investigation should be awaited before proceeding further. He has also pointed to the need to look at extremist groups in the city.

Thomas Medom (SF) has supported taking a stand and dialogue, but has also called for clarity on what the municipality already knows and records, and what lies with the police and other authorities.

Martin Christensen (V) has called the arson attempt unacceptable and supported uncovering incidents and dialogue, but warned against building an entirely new effort on a single incident before the extent has been clarified.

Jeppe Ulrich Lomholt (EL) has called for a collective, solidarity-based response from Byrådet (City Council) and linked the case to a broader effort against racism and right-wing extremism. Enhedslisten and Radikale Venstre have tabled an amendment to recommendation item 3, so that the municipality also shares information on prevention of discrimination against religious minorities and briefs on ongoing political processes with relevant faith communities.

Thomas Kastrup Christensen (DF) has condemned attacks on religious institutions, but has been critical of the term Islamophobia and of who should define the effort and cooperation with faith communities.

Louise Svenstrup (LA), rådmand (alderman) for Sociale Forhold og Beskæftigelse, has pointed to the work already under way via Infohuset, dialogue with the police on the threat picture and notes on the municipality’s effort against extremism and radicalisation.

The administration notes in its response memo that the municipality’s effort against radicalisation and discrimination is one integrated effort, and that the statutory security task lies with the police — not with Aarhus Kommune.

What happens next

On Wednesday 7 October 2026 the case is back before Aarhus Byråd (Aarhus City Council). The recommendation proposes that Byrådet (City Council) note the administration’s overall work with the target group, that the threat picture — including the extent of incidents related to antisemitism and Islamophobia — be discussed with the police in Social- og Beskæftigelsesudvalget (Social Affairs and Employment Committee), and that the municipality share relevant prevention websites with religious institutions and faith communities.

The amendment from Enhedslisten and Radikale Venstre has been referred to Social- og Beskæftigelsesudvalget (Social Affairs and Employment Committee). No final position has been taken on the recommendation’s other points in the material for Wednesday’s consideration. The next step depends on whether Byrådet (City Council) approves the recommendation, the amendment or requests further clarification.

Sources

Other appendices

Transcript

Transcript of the council debate with speakers named, from the official signed record.

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