Lithuanian MP asks prosecutors to reclaim Kaunas Mosque for Tatar community

Seimas member V. Sinica has formally requested the Prosecutor General's Office to intervene concerning the Kaunas Mosque. Sinica asserts that the mosque, originally constructed with state funds as a gift to the Lithuanian Tatar community for their contributions to the nation's independence, is now being used by citizens from other Asian countries.

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Lithuanian Tatars actively participated in the struggles for independence in 1918–1920 (...). The Republic of Lithuania, as a token of gratitude to the Lithuanian Tatar community both for centuries of friendly coexistence between Lithuanians and Tatars, and for the contribution and blood shed by Lithuanian Tatars fighting for Lithuania's independence, built the Kaunas Mosque with the funds of the Republic of Lithuania and gifted it to the Lithuanian Tatar community so that it would have its own house of prayer.

Sinica's appeal to the prosecutor's office highlights the historical context, stating that the mosque was built "as a token of gratitude" for the centuries-long coexistence of Lithuanians and Tatars, and for the Tatars' sacrifices during the fight for Lithuania's independence. He argues that the mosque was gifted to the Lithuanian Tatar community for their prayer house.

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Since 2019, newly arrived Muslims from various Asian countries have taken the Kaunas Mosque from Lithuanian Tatars.

According to the parliamentarian, since 2019, "newly arrived Muslims from various Asian countries" have allegedly taken over the Kaunas Mosque from the Lithuanian Tatars. He claims that citizens from Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan now worship there, while Lithuanian Tatars are reportedly denied entry. Consequently, Sinica is urging prosecutors to initiate legal action to reclaim the mosque for state ownership in the public interest, with the ultimate aim of returning it to the Lithuanian Tatar community.

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Lithuanian Tatars are reportedly denied entry.