Faith-Based Organizations and the Secular State: The Establishment of a Muslim Study Association in Sweden

Abstract

This article analyses the strategies adopted by Ibn Rushd Study Association, a Swedish-Muslim faith-based organization (FBO), to establish itself as a representative of Swedish Muslims in relation to the national government, as well as one of the 10 recognized study associations that handles much of the government-supported adult education in Sweden. This road to acceptance is analysed in the context of the relation to religious denominations institutionalized in Swedish Government–civil society relations, which, it is argued, can be understood as part of a normative concept of secularization and of the relationship between the state and civil society. Such concepts now colour government attitudes to FBOs, but also the way FBOs are organized and understand themselves in relation to the surrounding society. This case study supports José Casanova's argument that certain paths of secularization are not only compatible with certain religious denominations increasing their role in public debate, but may even enable them to do so.