Experiences of Swedish Muslims after the Terror Attacks in the USA on 11 September 2001

Following the terror attacks in New York and Washington on 11 September 2001 the lives of Muslims in Sweden, as of those in other countries, changed. This paper demonstrates how Muslims in Göteborg, Sweden, subjectively experienced changes in the majority society's view of, and reactions towards, Islam and Muslims after the events. It also considers the effects these reactions had on how the Swedish Muslims themselves viewed, and related to, Islam and other Muslims. A large majority reported that attitudes towards Islam and Muslims became much more negative after 11 September, and that the number of incidents of a negative and discriminatory nature perpetrated against them and other bodies associated with Islam increased. Swedish Muslims also reported increased intra-Islamic discussions about Islam and what it is to be a Muslim. The results, based mainly on a questionnaire survey, also draw on interviews and round-table discussions.