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Shia Muslims account for an important share of Muslims in Sweden, yet have largely been neglected by researchers, journalists and government institutions. A new study titled Shiamuslimer i Sverige – en översikt (Shia Muslims in Sweden – a review) by Göran Larsson, professor of religious studies at the University of Gothenburg, and David Thurfjell from Södertörn University explores the Shia landscape in Sweden. The study was ordered by the Swedish Commission for Government Support to Faith Communities (SST).
As about 90 per cent of all Muslims in the world are Sunnis, there has been a tendency among scholars and researchers to define Islam based on Sunni interpretations of it. In contrast, Shia Islam and other Islamic orientations have often been viewed as more sect-like orientations. In fact, many Swedish upper-secondary textbooks do not even acknowledge the existence of Shias, or in other cases the descriptions given are highly simplified and full of stereotypes.
‘For example, when journalists write about an issue and want to find out how Muslims feel about it, they rarely contact a Shia leader. Shia Muslims have been invisible in the Muslim landscape in Sweden. We want to show that this group should not been neglected,’ says Göran Larsson.
The new study sheds light on the present situation of Shia Muslims in Sweden, how they are organised and the ethnic and religious orientations that exist. The authors point to observed trends and important issues.
Larsson mentions two observations as particularly important. The first is a notable process of ‘Swedification’ where Shia organisations are increasingly using Swedish to communicate, both internally and outwards. The second observation is that there are clear tensions between Sunnis and Shias, tensions that are often rooted in conflicts outside Sweden, especially in the Middle East.
‘When international conflicts are imported to Sweden, for example in connection with the war in Iraq, it is important that government actors are knowledgeable about them. Otherwise they’ll fail to see the problems and instead mistakenly believe that different Muslim groups are living peacefully next to each other in Sweden. For example, some Shias have received death threats from other Muslims in Sweden.’
One reason behind the neglect of Shias in Sweden is is that it took longer for them to get organised. Initially, they were part of Sunni organisations. Yet, as the number of Shias has increased in Sweden, so have the demands for independence from the main group.
‘The most important task of the study is to show that the Shia community is both large and important, and that it mustn’t be ignored. Both Sunni and Shia groups display great diversity in terms of language, religion and culture. The first Shia Muslims in Sweden came to the small town of Trollhättan to work for the automobile manufacturer Saab after fleeing from Uganda and Idi Amin’s regime. Since then, Sweden has received Shias from for example Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, India, Pakistan and Iran.
The Swedish Commission for Government Support to Faith Communities is a government authority providing government support to faith communities in Sweden. The study on Shia Muslims in Sweden is part of Göran Larsson’s assignment to conduct an in-depth review of Islam and the Muslim landscape in Sweden. At the end of the year, he will present a report on Sunni Muslims in Sweden.
‘Since government agencies need a multifaceted view of Islam, it is important that scholars study all interpretations of the religion. SST‘s assignment points to the importance of our research and shows that government institutions rely on it,’ says Larsson.
The study Shiamuslimer i Sverige – en översikt will be presented by the authors in Stockholm on 29 August.
More information:
Göran Larsson, phone: +46 (0)31-786 5315, email: goran.larsson@lir.gu.se
http://www.hum.gu.se/english/current/news/Nyhet_detalj/scholars-present-new-repo...
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