Assalamu alaikum,
In connection with the false information and escalating acts of hostility directed at our activities, we, the Management Board of the Al-Fajr Foundation, wish to present our official position and rectify the harmful narratives appearing in the public space.
Since February of this year, the Al-Fajr Foundation has been conducting its statutory activities in a safe and fully legal manner within a rented premises. Our mission centers on education, integration, and supporting the Muslim community. We organize classes and cultural meetings for children, youth, and adults there, as well as facilitate daily communal prayer, which is a fundamental element of our faith.
We would like to firmly emphasize that from the very beginning – starting at the launch of the public crowdfunding campaign for this purpose – we have acted with complete transparency. From the outset, we openly communicated the multi-functional nature of this space, which was designed to combine educational, cultural, and religious functions. Furthermore, in our daily operations, we strictly comply with all applicable regulations, including fire safety standards, ensuring that the number of people inside the premises never exceeds the maximum allowable safety limit.
It is with deep concern and sadness that we observe attempts to stigmatize our activities. The allegations being made regarding the creation of an “illegal mosque” are entirely groundless. In accordance with Polish law, freedom of conscience and religion encompasses, among other things, the freedom to profess one’s religion privately and publicly, as well as to organize religious meetings by legally operating entities, such as our Foundation.
We find it particularly incomprehensible that the individuals organizing protests against our presence in this location are fully aware that our lease agreement expires in July. Despite being aware of the temporary nature of our stay at this location, aggressive actions continue. It is with great anxiety that we note incidents that directly compromise the safety of our beneficiaries and volunteers:
- The unlawful recording and photographing of visitors to our premises without their consent,
- The direct formulation of unlawful threats and attempts at provocation aimed at our community.
We wish to state clearly: there is no place for hatred and aggression in the public sphere. These actions not only violate the personal rights of our members but, above all, break the law. We will systematically report all attempts at intimidation, threats, and the unlawful publication of images to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
The Al-Fajr Foundation operates transparently and remains open to dialogue with the local community and neighbors. We believe that mutual respect and education are key to building a safe environment for us all. We would like to thank all the individuals and institutions who have shown us their support during this challenging time.
The Management Board of the Al-Fajr Foundation
