Ibrahim Sverrir Agnarsson

This is an Icelandic name. The last name is a patronymic, not a family name; this person is properly referred to by the given name Sverrir.

Ibrahim Sverrir Agnarsson (born 1948) is the chair of the Association of Muslims in Iceland, succeeding its founder Salmann Tamimi in 2010.

Biography

Ibrahim Sverrir Agnarsson was born in 1948. In 1973 Ibrahim Sverrir married María Harðardóttir; they have two sons.[1]

Ibrahim Sverrir encountered Islam while living as a hippy and working as a horse-trainer for spaghetti westerns in Almería in Spain in 1970. Living in an Arab castle, he became interested in the inscriptions on the walls. He travelled to Istanbul, on to Peshawar, bought a horse there and spent some months riding in the mountains of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China. During this period he converted to Islam. Ibrahim Sverrir has lived and travelled widely in the Islamic world, including working for the Libyan Ministry of Agriculture consulting on sheep-breeding.[2]

Religious and political life

As the chair of the Association of Muslims in Iceland Ibrahim Sverrir has been prominent in bringing about the first purpose-built mosque in Iceland.[3] According to Ibrahim Sverrir funds for the mosque will be raised abroad, including Muslims in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.[4] Salmann Tamimi, however, has warned that by accepting funds abroad the Association of Muslims in Iceland will jeopardise losing the reins of control.[5]

Ibrahim Sverrir and his predecessor also have divided opinions on the establishment of special schools for Muslim children. Ibrahim Sverrir has said that he's not against special schools for Muslim children provided that the national curriculum is observed.[6] Salmann Tamimi, however, has said that he opposes special schools for Muslim children; in his opinion special schools would keep Musllim children from adjusting to Icelandic society.[7]

In a radio interview on 26 November 2014 Ibrahim Sverrir targeted Saudi Arabia; describing it as "a primitive society".[8]

Controversies

Position on Sharia Law

In a radio interview on 2 June 2014 Ibrahim Sverrir said that members of the Association of Muslims in Iceland wanted certain affairs to be governed by Sharia Law, including inheritance and family matters.[9]

Attitude towards gay people

In a radio interview on 6 August 2014 Ibrahim Sverrir answered questions on the status of gay people within Islam. Ibrahim Sverrir said that those that are for gay marriages could never rally support among Muslims in Iceland. From his perspective, the question was whether gay people could adjust to Islam. Nevertheless he accepted that inevitably Muslims in Iceland would have to address the issue of gay marriages.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir, 'To a Mosque on a Magic Carpet', Iceland Review, 52.1 (2014), 64–68.
  2. ↑ Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir, 'To a Mosque on a Magic Carpet', Iceland Review, 52.1 (2014), 64–68.
  3. ↑ Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir, 'To a Mosque on a Magic Carpet', Iceland Review, 52.1 (2014), 64–68.
  4. ↑ http://ruv.is/truarbrogd/umdeild-moska
  5. ↑ http://www.visir.is/salmann-tamimi--moska-verdur-ad-vera-a-islenskum-forsendum/article/2010163892745
  6. ↑ http://www.ruv.is/frett/segir-mannrettindi-tryggd-i-islam
  7. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-cRR2u6c8k
  8. ↑ http://www.visir.is/section/MEDIA98&fileid=CLP31589
  9. ↑ http://www.visir.is/section/MEDIA98&fileid=CLP27414
  10. ↑ http://www.ruv.is/m/frett/721395

See also

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