Exploring Sweden's Muslim Minority: Past, Present, and Future

Authors

  • Fidaaldin al-Sayed Issa
  • Abdelaziz Berghout

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/alitqan.v10i2.328

Abstract

This paper explores the historical evolution, contemporary challenges, and future potential solutions of the Muslim minority in Sweden. It aims to trace the Muslim presence from its origins in the late 19th century, largely associated with economic migration, to the significant demographic transformations brought by the 20th century waves of immigrants and refugees. Such developments shaped the cultural and religious fabric of Swedish society. Despite Sweden’s reputation for tolerance and equality, the Muslim minority continues to witness challenges in the form of discrimination, socioeconomic disparities, and obstacles to full social integration. Qualitative analysis methods are used in the entire study. This research paper identifies potential solutions, including enhanced cultural understanding, educational initiatives, and policies aimed at reducing disparities, which aim to facilitate the Muslim minority’s full participation in Swedish society. By delving into the historical context, current challenges, and prospects of the Muslim minority in Sweden, the findings contribute to the ongoing discourse on inclusive multiculturalism emphasizing the importance of acknowledging historical trajectories and addressing contemporary issues, there are opportunities for a harmonious and integrated future.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Fidaaldin al-Sayed Issa

Ph.D. Candidate, International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Abdelaziz Berghout

Professor (Dr.), Department of Fundamental Knowledge and Interdisciplinary Studies (FIDS), AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences (AHASKIRKHS), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

References

Agerström, J. et.al. Warm and Competent Hassan = Cold and Incompetent Eric: A Harsh Equation of Real-Life Hiring Discrimination. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 34, No. 4 (2012). pp. 359-366.

Ahmed, A.M. Muslim Discrimination: Evidence from Two Lost-Letter Experiments. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Vol. 40, No. 4 (2010). pp. 888-898.

Axner, Marta. Representations, Stereotypes and News Evaluation: Report from Media Analysis of Representations of Muslims in Swedish News. Stockholm: Discrimination Ombudsman, 2015.

Berghout, A. “Mafhūmā al-taʿāruf wa al-tadāfuʿ wa mawqiʿuhumā fī al-ḥiwār min al-manẓūr al-Islāmī [The Concepts of Taʿāruf and Tadāfuʿ and Their Position in Dialogue from an Islamic Perspective].” Contemporary Islamic Thought (formerly Islāmiyyat al-Maʿrifah) 16, no. 63 (2011): 104–175. https://doi.org/10.35632/citj.v16i63.977 (in Arabic).

Berg, Marcus. Swedish Slave in Morocco: An Adaptation of the Description of Barbarian Slavery Outside the Empire of Fez and Morocco in Brief Written by Marcus. Arboga: Textab, 1993.

Bevelander, P. and Otterbeck, J. Young people’s attitudes towards Muslims in Sweden. Ethnic and Racial Studies, Vol. 33, No. 3 (2010) pp. 404-425. (pp. 413ff).

Bleich, E. Where do Muslims stand on ethno-racial hierarchies in Britain and France? Evidence from public opinion surveys, 1988–2008. Patterns of Prejudice, Vol. 43, No. 3-4 (2009). pp. 379-400.

Borell, K. Islamophobic Prejudice and Hate Crime: A Knowledge Review. SST’s Writing Series no. 1. Stockholm: The Board for State Support to Religious Communities, 2012.

Bunar, N. Hate Crimes Against Immigrants in Sweden and Community Responses. American Behavioral Scientist, Vol. 51, No. 2 (2007). pp. 166-181.

Bursell, Moa. Perceptions of discrimination against Muslims. A study of formal complaints against public institutions in Sweden. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. (2021). 47(5).

Byström, Mikael and Frohnert, Pär. (2017) The history of immigration: from the “Folkhemmet” to today's Sweden. Stockholm: The Delegation for Migration Studies.

Carlson, Laura. “Critical Race Theory in a Swedish Context.” SSRN Electronic Journal (2011). Retreived October 16, 2024. https://ssrn.com/abstract=2402587

Carlsson, M. and Rooth, D-O. Evidence of ethnic discrimination in the Swedish labor market using experimental data. Labour Economics, Vol. 14, No. 4 (2007). pp. 716-729.

Conway, Gordon R. Islamophobia – A Challenge to Us All. London: The Runnymede Trust, 1997.

Department of Justice Archives. Citizenship Act, Mänsur Nasretdin (M147). June 27, 1969. Norrköping Police District. Immigration report number 234/67.

DN. “The Headscarf Ban Undermines the Foundations of Democracy.” Accessed October 10, 2023. https://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/slojforbudet-ruckar-pa-demokratins-grunder/.

DO Statistics 2015-2021. Statistics of reports received by the Discrimination Ombudsman 2015-2021.

Environmental Analysis in Religious Studies. “Did the Vikings Read the Quran?” (2017). Retreived October 23, 2024. http://religionsvetenskapligakommentarer.blogspot.com/2017/10/laste-vikingarna-koranen.html.

Expo. “SD and Paludan in a Joint Campaign of Incitement Against Muslims.” Retreived October 11, 2024. https://expo.se/2022/04/sd-och-paludan-i-gemensam-hetskampanj-mot-muslimer

Gardell, Mattias. Islamofobi. Stockholm: Leopard Förlag, 2011.

Hübinette, Tobias, and Catrin Lundström. Three phases of hegemonic whiteness: Understanding racial temporalities in Sweden. Social Identities 20. (2014). pp. 423–37.

Hübinette, Tobias. How many Muslims are there in Sweden? Perhaps a tenth of the population are Swedish Muslims. Retrieved on October 10, 2024. https://tobiashubinette.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/muslimer-sverige-minoriteter/

Islamic Federation of Sweden's website. Retrieved on October 23, 2024. https://www.islamiskaforbundet.se/omif/

Karlsson Minganti, Pia, and Ingvar Svanberg. Mosques in Sweden: A Religious Ethnological Study of Intolerance and Administrative Disempowerment. Uppsala: Research Council of the Church of Sweden, 1995.

Klasson, Erik. Congregation Chronicle-Engelbrekts Församlingsblad. Stockholm: Emil Holmberg’s Printing Press, 1945.

Kolankiewicz, M. Anti-Muslim Violence and the Possibility of Justice. Lund: Sociologiska Institutionen, Lunds Universitet, 2015.

Lagerlöf, D. Intolerance in Cyberspace and the Art of Responding to It – In the Swedish Integration Agency. Swedish Integration Agency Report Series 2007:03. Stockholm: The Swedish Integration Agency, 2007.

Lahdenperä, Pirjo. The Basis of Values as an Exclusive or Inclusive Discourse, Values and Swedish Ethnicity. Lund: Student Literature, 2001.

Lindahl, Per-Erik. I Can Whistle Beethoven’s Sonatas – A Biography of Eric Hermelin, Part 1. Karlskrona: Bibliognosi, 1982.

Lindqvist, Herman. “Charles XII Was Our First Multicultural King.” Retreived October 24, 2024. https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/kolumnister/a/wERwno/karl-xii-var-var-forste-multikulturella-kung.

Löwander, B., and M. Hagström. Antisemitism and Islamophobia – Spread, Causes and Preventive Work. Stockholm: Forum for Living History, 2011.

Lundberg, Martin. Ibn Rushd – A Study Association in Motion. Stockholm: Folkbildningsrådet, 2011.

Olseryd, J., L. Wallin, and A. Repo. Islamophobic Hate Crimes. Report 2021:3. Stockholm: Brottsförebyggande Rådet, 2021.

Pew Forum. “Europe’s Growing Muslim Population.” Retreived October 10, 2024. http://www.pewforum.org/2017/11/29/europes-growing-muslim-population/

Roald, Anne Sofie, and Pernilla Ouis. Muslim in Sweden. Stockholm: Wahlström and Widstrand, 2004.

SCB. The Census on December 31, 1930. Stockholm: Norstedts, 1937. Retreived October 24, 2024. https://www.scb.se/hitta-statistik/aldre-statistik/innehall/sveriges-officiella-statistik-sos/folk-och-bostadsrakningarna/folkrakningen-19101960/folkrakningen-den-31-december-1930/

Sorgenfrei, Simon. Islam in Sweden – The First 1300 Years. Stockholm: Blanka Förlag, 2018.

Soukkan, Türker. A Tatar Local Community in Sweden: A Minority Group in a Broad Historical Perspective. Istanbul: Swedish Research Institute in Istanbul, 1985.

SST. Muslim National Organizations – Statutes of the United Islamic Congregations of Sweden (FIFS). Sweden, November 12, 1982, F9:1.

The Ombudsman for Discrimination. Research on Discrimination Against Muslims in Sweden. 2013. Retreived October 12, 2024.

https://www.do.se/download/18.277ff225178022473141e2a/1618941270230/rapport-forskni ng-diskriminering-muslimer-sverige.pdf

The Swedish Integration Agency. Racism and Xenophobia in Sweden-Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. Report Series 2006:02. Stockholm: The Swedish Integration Agency, 2006.

The United Islamic Associations in Sweden. “Official Website.” Retreived October 23, 2024. www.fifs.se

Wikander, Stig. Ibn Fadlan, Arabs, Vikings, Värings. Stockholm: Swedish Humanist Association, 1978.

Zetterstéen, Karl V. The Diplomatic Correspondence of the Crimean Tatars with the Swedish Government. Royal Humanistic Science Society in Uppsala, Yearbook 1952. Uppsala, 1952.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-31

How to Cite

Fidaaldin al-Sayed Issa, & Berghout, A. (2025). Exploring Sweden’s Muslim Minority: Past, Present, and Future. AL-ITQAN: JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC SCIENCES AND COMPARATIVE STUDIES, 10(2), 13–38. https://doi.org/10.31436/alitqan.v10i2.328