Shooting Outside Mosque in Sweden Leaves One Dead, One Injured

Rabat – A shooting near a mosque in central Sweden on Friday killed one man and injured another. Police say they believe the attack is linked to gang violence, AP reported.

The shooting happened in the parking lot outside the mosque in the city of Orebro shortly after Friday prayers. According to police, a 25-year-old man was shot and killed as he was leaving the mosque. Another man, also in his 20s, was injured, according to the report.

It added that emergency services rushed to the scene, and police urged the public to stay away. Roberto Eid Forest, head of the Orebro local police area, told reporters that at least one suspect was seen leaving the area. 

Authorities are investigating the case as murder, attempted murder, and aggravated weapons offenses.

The Swedish news agency TT reported that police suspect the crime is connected to local gangs. Local TV station TV4 said there has recently been tension between two rival gangs in Orebro.

While police currently believe this shooting is gang-related, incidents of violence near places of worship often raise concerns about Islamophobia in Europe, where Muslims have faced harassment, threats, and violence in recent years.

Muslim communities have reported a rise in hate crimes across the continent, ranging from verbal harassment to physical attacks. These incidents are often fueled by stereotypes, anti-immigrant sentiment, and the spread of extremist rhetoric online.

In recent years in Sweden, far-right activists have staged Quran-burning protests, sparking outrage among Muslim residents and international criticism. Many Swedish Muslims say such actions contribute to a climate of fear and mistrust, as well as make mosques feel unsafe.