Friday prayers held at Denmark’s first female-led mosque

The historic event was attended by more than 60 women

Lucie Rychla

Mariam Mosque in Copenhagen – Denmark and Scandinavia’s first female-led mosque for women only – held its first Friday prayers this week.

The historic event was attended by more than 60 women.

Although the mosque opened already in February, it was not able to hold Friday prayer service, which is an important ritual for Muslims, until now.

READ MORE: Denmark gets its first mosque for women

Special experience
The ceremony was performed by Sherin Khankan and Saliha Marie Fetteh, who are the mosque’s founders and imams.

“It is the first time I have experienced that Muslims and non-Muslims prayed side by side,” Khankan told DR.

“It was a very special experience.”

After the ceremony, 30 women decided to join the community.

However, the mosque needs to have at least 150 members in order to be officially recognised as a religious community in Denmark.

READ MORE: Danish mosque continues to make history

Islamic academy
Mariam Mosque aims to challenge patriarchal structures within religious institutions as well as patriarchal interpretations of the Qur’an, and to confront growing Islamophobia and promote Islamic progressive values.

“We’re going to make a campaign on social media both to ensure we get more members, but also to inform about our new academy,” Khankan told DR.

In September, the mosque launches a new Islamic academy with courses for future female imams.

Mariam Mosque has come under criticism by groups like the Danish Islamic Centre, which has said that female mosques dilute Islam.

TOP STORIES

  • Trump: Greenlandic annexation “will happen.” Greenlandic PM: “Enough is enough”

    Trump: Greenlandic annexation “will happen.” Greenlandic PM: “Enough is enough”

    Yesterday, the President of the United States made some of the strongest statements about Greenland he has ever made during the press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

  • Copenhagen revisited through memoir poetry

    Copenhagen revisited through memoir poetry

    Not all students feel like reading Danish poetry after a meeting at a language school with writer and poet Henrik Palle. Yet, a portrayal of Copenhagen as the city once was and the impressions of what the city is today give a deeper impression of the Danes

  • A book to make Danish idioms easier to understand

    A book to make Danish idioms easier to understand

    It’s difficult to learn Danish, especially with idioms that have figurative meanings. It highlights Christiane Bjørg Nielsen’s book, See What You Say, which serves as a visual guide to understanding these idiomatic expressions in Danish.

  • “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “No one seems to stand up for internationals”

    “To some extent, Denmark is not fair to internationals.” Nichlas Walsted, 34 years old, is the CEO of Swap Language, a provider of Danish lessons to more than 10,000 internationals. Tens of thousands of people follow him, and he advocates for internationals: “Because no one else does. I can’t think of a single politician or well-known person in Denmark who stands up for them,” he says.

  • Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Busy Copenhagen Airport nets a nice profit for the Danish State

    Almost 30 million passengers travelled to or from Copenhagen Airport in 2024. The profit was 1.4 billion DKK and both figures are expected to grow in 2025. Expansions continue, and investments are being made in continued progress

  • Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Raise the voice of internationals. Take the survey and share your experience in Denmark.

    Copenhagen Capacity has launched a survey for all internationals living in Denmark to find out if they are happy here and what challenges they face. The Copenhagen Post is the media partner for this initiative. You can find the survey below in the article.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen ranked 4th for career growth

    Copenhagen is ranked as the fourth-best city in the world for career growth, according to an analysis by EnjoyTravel. This ranking considers various factors such as living costs, salary levels, workforce availability, and overall quality of life. Copenhagen is noted for its blend of historical and modern elements, particularly in the green energy sector, which influences job opportunities.

  • Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    Data shows that non-Western immigrants have saved local economies in Denmark

    A study reveals how only the massive influx of non-Western immigrants has saved many areas in Denmark from a decline in the workforce and a consequently shrinking economy

  • Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    Long-term unemployment is double for non-Western immigrants

    An analysis from the Labour Movement’s Business Council shows that the rate in long-term unemployment for non-Western immigrants is 1.8 times higher than for Danes. In other words, a chronic unemployment situation is way more probable for non-Western internationals.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs