A former Islamist leader has revealed concerns about foreign funding of mosques and collaborations between Islamists and left-wing activists in Europe. According to Yaqoub Ali, a former leader of “Kaldet til Islam,” these practices pose a significant threat to Denmark and Europe.

Ali recounts an incident in 2016 involving a Saudi Arabian sheik who offered to donate to a mosque in Copenhagen on the condition that a church building be purchased and converted. The sheik’s motivation was to “provoke” Denmark in response to the Muhammad cartoons, highlighting the potential for foreign donors to exert influence over mosques and promote specific agendas.

He emphasizes that many Danish mosques have agreements with foreign sheiks who provide financial support in exchange for the opportunity to teach, hold seminars, and influence the direction of the mosque. This practice, according to Ali, is common throughout Europe, but its impact is amplified in smaller countries like Denmark due to the higher concentration of mosques.

Another concerning trend is the collaboration between Islamists and parts of the European left-wing activism. Ali cites the example of Islamist women who allied themselves with left-wing activists during the 2017-2018 debate about the burqa ban. These women, operating under the guise of “Kvinder i Dialog” (Women in Dialogue), were secretly affiliated with an Islamist women’s group called “Udforsk islam” (Explore Islam), which had ties to ISIS fighters. They strategically exploited the naivety of well-meaning activists to spread their messages through media appearances and demonstrations.

Ali also points out that young people from certain mosques are often sent to Muslim countries like Kuwait, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia for training in Islamist ideologies. He notes that several Syrian fighters from Aarhus had spent time in Kuwait and Egypt as part of such arrangements.

Ali suggests that the recent events since October 7, 2023, indicate that alliances between Islamists and other activist groups are likely to strengthen due to shared goals and opponents. He acknowledges the humanitarian tragedy in Gaza but warns that it also serves as a catalyst for Islamist forces to spread their ideology under the guise of solidarity.

Ali’s advice to authorities is to closely monitor Islamic organizations and mosques that receive donations, as this money often comes with requirements that can have far-reaching consequences.