This paper deals with the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated milieu in Sweden and how it has been addrssed in Sweden. It details the development of its main organizations, schools, funding and political activities. Lastly, it analyzes recent developments and the possible prospects of Islamism in Sweden.
The Muslim Brotherhood is likely the first Islamist group to organize in Sweden. Its members arrived in the country in the 1970s and eventually used Sweden’s generous economic aid to establish various civil society organizations. In the 1970s, religious groups could start applying for government grants. The aid system was initially developed to finance the free churches. However, the free churches began cooperating with other religious groups. Through this cooperation, the Muslim Brotherhood affiliated Förenade Islamiska Föreningar i Sverige (FIFS), the United Islamic Associations in Sweden, was established in 1974 as an umbrella organization for local Islamic associations in Sweden.
The United Islamic Associations in Sweden became eligible for government grants in 1975. Furthermore, Sveriges Muslimska Ungdomsförbund (SMuF), the Swedish Muslim Youth Association, was formed in 1991. It later changed its name to Sveriges Unga Muslimer (SUM) Sweden’s Young Muslims, a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated organization that used to receive state funding but eventually lost it in a unique trial case, which will be presented in this paper.
Sweden’s Muslim Brotherhood network is relatively small; however, it has had a disproportionate influence in the country and within the Muslim Brotherhood’s pan-European network. The network’s flagship organization is Islamiska Förbundet i Sverige (IFiS), the Islamic Federation in Sweden, located in the main mosque in Stockholm, giving it access to many Muslim visitors. However, it is important to note that the Muslim Brotherhood milieu represents a small minority among Sweden’s Muslims. Some of its supporters are unaware that they are dealing with or working for a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated organization, as this is kept secret and rarely admitted, even when confronted.
