Ritualization among young adult Muslims in Malmö and Copenhagen

Abstract

The article focuses on the methodological implications of a research project on young adult Muslims. The research is based on repeated interviews with nine young adults who are not deeply devout Muslims. Rather, they have a Muslim family history and at least a relation to the faith. Six of them practise to some extent and believe in the central tenets of Islam. The article argues that it is important to complement the research about devout Muslims by discussing with other types of Muslims who, although they are the majority, seldom feature in research. With a focus on ritual, this article presents a more varied, less normative, but still deeply felt Islam. A Socratic interview technique was used to get in-depth answers. Finally, the decision to make cartoons of the interview quotes is discussed. It created new possibilities when narrating the interviews, being able to show ritual objects and movements.