After the Koran burning on Värnhemstorget in Malmö on September 3, 2023, there were riots in the Rosengård district – and now the housing company Victoriahem fears that the same thing will happen again.
One in five parking garages suffered extensive damage last fall.
Koran burnings in Malmö
Worry about garage fires
During Friday, a Koran burning is planned on Gustav Adolfs torg. Therefore, Victoriahem closes all its underground garages at Rosengård to avoid car fires.
– All garages Victoriahem owns in Rosengård will be closed on Friday evening from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning, says Amélija Ernemyr, area manager at Victoriahem.
The cars are parked outside
She says that those who have cars parked in the garage will be offered a replacement space outside if necessary.
– It is clear that it affects the tenants when the garages are closed for seven hours, but if we do not close and it turns out to be the same as in September, then the garage will be forced to remain closed for six to seven months instead, says Amélija Ernemyr.
The heightened security situation in Malmö during the entire Eurovision week means that Victoriahem will keep the same garage closed next Friday and Saturday as well.
Family celebration should prevent unrest
While Victoriahem is securing, others are trying to prevent any unrest from even happening. One example is the Allaktivitetshuset at Apelgård, which organizes a family party at Rosengård on Friday. The aim is to draw focus from the Koran burning on Gustav Adolfs torg and offer something fun in the area, writes the organizer in a press release.
No more permits this weekend
Also on Sunday, a Koran burning is planned in Malmö, but on Friday evening the police tell TT that since the 320 kroner in application fee was never paid, the application will not be processed nor can it be granted.
On Saturday, the organizers plan to walk through Malmö and pull a Koran on a leash behind them and carry Israeli flags.
The police do not consider it a public gathering and therefore do not consider the application for a permit.