Norwegian police officers will now be armed while on duty following a surge in threats targeting the Muslim community in the country.
The decision, announced by the police director general over the weekend, applies nationwide and comes into effect immediately.
Police spokesperson Roar Hansen confirmed that threats were made against mosques in Norway.
This heightened security measure coincides with the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations, marking the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting.
Norwegian police traditionally do not carry firearms during patrols.
However, the recent threats prompted the director general to authorize the temporary arming of officers to ensure public safety, particularly for Muslim citizens observing Eid al-Fitr.
The decision follows a series of attacks targeting Muslims in recent years.
In August 2019, Philip Manshaus, a white supremacist, opened fire at a mosque near Oslo, injuring one person before being subdued by worshippers.
This attack echoed the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand earlier that year, where 51 Muslims were killed.
Additionally, Norway itself has a history of violence against Muslims, with Anders Behring Breivik’s 2011 attacks motivated by Islamophobia.
