In the lead-up to Sweden’s general election on Sunday, a grassroots campaign is seeking to challenge widespread misconceptions about Islam amid a politically charged climate shaped by the influence of far-right parties. The Ask-a-Muslim (Fråga en Muslim) initiative, launched in 2017 by Swedish-born imam Kashif Virk, encourages public dialogue by inviting people to ask questions about Islam in person, aiming to counteract what its organizers describe as distorted portrayals of the religion by far-right groups.
Operating with volunteers primarily from the Ahmadi Muslim community, the campaign has engaged communities across Sweden at over 150 locations, including farmers markets, public squares, and city centers. “Sometimes people get very rude. But most people in Sweden are lovely, friendly and interested—they want to learn more,” Virk said, describing a society where fears about Islam are stoked by some political factions.
Sweden’s current political landscape has been marked by the growing influence of the Sweden Democrats, a far-right party that has helped support a minority right-wing government led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. The party has played a significant role in shaping policies related to migration and crime, often linking the two in ways critics argue scapegoat migrants, Muslims, and other minorities. These shifts have helped move political discourse further to the right and prompted mainstream parties to adopt restrictive stances on immigration.
Munir Niazi, who collaborates with Virk on the Ask-a-Muslim campaign, described the current climate as a “Pandora’s box” that has already altered Sweden’s national conversation. Over recent years, mosques have frequently been vandalized, and the country has witnessed protests involving Qur’an burnings, deepening fears among minority communities.
Many residents articulate a sense of alienation and personal impact from the politicization of religion and migration. A nurse originally from Lebanon expressed feelings of dehumanization linked to her faith and cultural dress. Similarly, Onyango, a Kenyan national living in Sweden for nearly a decade, described the environment as “horrible” and said the political climate has prompted him to prepare contingency plans in case staying in Sweden becomes untenable.
The consequences of shifting policies are starkly illustrated by cases of undocumented asylum seekers and migrants. Initiatives that had supported refugees during the 2015 influx now confront the reality that many remain without legal status over a decade later. Those working with groups such as Refugees Welcome Stockholm report psychological distress among young people who, despite physical health, feel hopeless about their futures.
One notable case involves a 14-year-old boy born in Sweden facing deportation to Armenia alongside his family, despite having no connection to the country of his parents’ origin. This situation highlights the tightening of immigration regulations, including the removal of certain visa options that might have allowed prolonged residence.
Journalist Bilan Osman, who has extensively studied right-wing extremism in Sweden, noted that many proposals once considered fringe are now part of mainstream political debate, such as offering financial incentives for migrants to return to their countries of origin. She pointed to the normalization of far-right rhetoric through specialized media outlets as a key factor in this shift.
Osman emphasized the long-term implications, particularly for Sweden’s Muslim population, estimated at around 8% of the country. “We are at a breaking point right now, where the main question is: ‘Is there a future for Muslims in this country?’” she said. The uncertainty stirred by current discussions risks alienating significant segments of the population, with consequences that may persist well beyond the election.
As Sweden approaches its election, the country remains divided over its path forward, with the far right’s presence reshaping political and social debates on migration, integration, and national identity. The outcome may not only influence the nation’s internal policies but also send a broader signal to Europe amid a continent-wide contest over the political future of far-right movements.