This article examines how Muslim-stigma and repression have reshaped the aim and function of Muslim civil society in Sweden. Using New Social Movement (NSM) theory, particularly Melucci’s concept of “cognitive definitions,” it explores how Muslim civil society organizations (MCSOs) respond to shifting societal conditions. As Islam and Muslims are increasingly framed as a “threat from within” in Western discourse, public space for Muslim identity expression has narrowed. Understanding MCSOs through NSM theory, which emphasizes identity-based activism, is crucial in this context. Through interviews with 14 prominent Muslim leaders in Sweden, the study finds that the primary mission of Muslim civil society is a struggle for “Muslimness”—the ability to openly express Muslim identity in a society perceived as restricting it. However, thematic analysis reveals a shift: in response to growing adversity, MCSOs are becoming more inward-focused. This shift marks a transition from advocating for “Swedish-Muslimness”—the integration of Muslimness into all aspects of Swedish society—to a more defensive struggle for “Muslimness in Sweden.” This inward turn reflects broader challenges in navigating an increasingly constrained civic space, raising critical questions about the possibilities for Muslim civil society to function as a bridge between Muslim communities and Swedish majority society.
Ahmad El Far (Thu,) studied this question.