Lithuanian MP requests probe into Muslim group's activities, citing national security concerns

A Lithuanian member of parliament has requested a formal investigation into the activities of the "second muftiate," a religious organization within the Lithuanian Muslim community. Dalia Asanavičiūtė-Gružauskienė, a member of the Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD) faction, urged the Seimas National Security and Defense Committee to examine the group's operations for potential threats to national security interests.

Asanavičiūtė-Gružauskienė claims the establishment of the second muftiate, approved by the Ministry of Justice in 2019, has fractured the Muslim community. She alleges the organization is aggressively seizing control of mosques, including those historically managed by Lithuania's Tatar community. Specifically, the Kaunas and Nemėžis mosques have reportedly come under the second muftiate's control, with the latter listing mufti Aleksandras Beganskas as a contact person. The organization is also reportedly seeking to control the mosque in the village of Keturiasdešimt Totorių.

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The second muftiate is taking over the management of houses of prayer through aggressive actions. As a result, historical Lithuanian Tatars feel driven out of their mosques, and immigrants are taking their place.

"The second muftiate is taking over the management of houses of prayer through aggressive actions. As a result, historical Lithuanian Tatars feel driven out of their mosques, and immigrants are taking their place," Asanavičiūtė-Gružauskienė stated in a press release. The parliamentarian also raised questions about the organization's ties to foreign entities, citing the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY) foundation from Saudi Arabia, which has faced international accusations of financing terrorism and promoting radicalization.

Furthermore, Asanavičiūtė-Gružauskienė referenced the 2025 State Security Department (VSD) report on national security threats, which highlights the spread of Islamist propaganda in Europe and radicalization risks within isolated religious groups. Public statements by the second muftiate's leader, A. Beganskas, have also drawn criticism. A video circulating on Facebook showed Beganskas allegedly disparaging the concept of a Lithuanian family and promoting polygamy. Asanavičiūtė-Gružauskienė deemed such rhetoric unacceptable, arguing it belittles Lithuanian society and openly promotes Sharia law and polygamy, which contradict Lithuania's legal system. The requested investigation aims to assess whether the second muftiate's activities pose a threat to Lithuania's national security and interests.

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Such rhetoric from the organization's leader is completely unacceptable, as it not only belittles Lithuanian society but also openly promotes Sharia law and polygamy, which contradict Lithuania's legal system.