The 57-year-old imam Oussama Mohamad El-Saadi was found guilty of benefit fraud by Vestre lagmannsrett. El-Saadi, who leads the Grimhøj Mosque in Brabrand and serves as a prominent voice for the Muslim community in Aarhus, on Jutland, along with his cousin, unlawfully received 738,000 Danish kroner (approximately 1.07 million Norwegian kroner) in early retirement pension and housing support over four years, according to court records.
The scheme was uncovered when police raided the cousin’s home early one morning and found El-Saadi in her bed. Investigators also discovered clothing and medications belonging to the 57-year-old imam. Both individuals had falsely claimed to live alone to qualify for benefits, but evidence revealed they were cohabitants. The imam’s listed address was occupied by other tenants who rented the property from him, as reported by B.T.
El-Saadi maintained his innocence throughout the legal process. “I have no interest in breaking the law,” he stated prior to the appeals court hearing. He had previously received a one-year and six-month prison sentence in the lower court, which was upheld. 15 months of the sentence were suspended, requiring him to serve three months in prison. He was also convicted of attempted insurance fraud involving 18,000 Danish kroner. His cousin received a suspended one-year and three-month prison sentence.
Controversies Surrounding the Mosque
El-Saadi’s leadership at Grimhøj Mosque has been contentious. The mosque gained national attention after reports surfaced that several young men who attended it had traveled to Syria to fight with the Islamic State (IS). This sparked a political debate, with some parties calling for the mosque to be shut down. El-Saadi denied allegations of ties to extremism, stating to Dansk Radio, “We are not a terror hub. We cooperate with Danish authorities.”
The mosque faced further scrutiny after a Danish TV2 documentary, “Moskeerne bag sløret,” revealed controversial practices, including teachings on stoning unfaithful women and advising women to remain with abusive partners. El-Saadi publicly criticized the documentary, claiming it “destroyed everything” but asserting the mosque adhered to Danish values. He participated in public discussions following the film’s release, though he was not covertly filmed.
What May Happen Next
El-Saadi’s prison sentence could be served in a Danish facility, though the exact timeline remains unclear.
Oussama El-Saadi and cousin convicted of fraud
What was the amount of money involved in the fraud? Oussama El-Saadi and his cousin unlawfully received 738,000 Danish kroner (approximately 1.07 million Norwegian kroner) in early retirement pension and housing support over four years.
What were the charges against El-Saadi? He was convicted of fraud and attempted insurance fraud. The court upheld his one-year and six-month prison sentence, with 15 months suspended, requiring him to serve three months in prison.
What controversies has the Grimhøj Mosque faced? The mosque gained attention after reports of young men joining IS. It also faced scrutiny after a Danish TV documentary alleged teachings on stoning women and advising them to stay with abusive partners.
How might this case affect the Muslim community in Aarhus?