Multiculturalism and the Representation of Muslims in Sweden Carlbom, Aje

239 Pages·2017·2.65 MB·English

by  Ilgot Liljedahl

The Imagined versus the Real Other
Multiculturalism and the Representation of Muslims in Sweden
Carlbom, Aje
2003
Link to publication
Citation for published version (APA):
Carlbom, A. (2003). The Imagined versus the Real Other: Multiculturalism and the Representation of Muslims in
Sweden. [Doctoral Thesis (monograph), Social Anthropology]. Department of Sociology, Lund University.
Total number of authors:
1
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LUND UNIVERSITY
PO Box 117
221 00 Lund
[phone]
A re Muslims so different from other citizens in Sweden, that they have to A The Imagined
live in segregation and be separated from the rest of society? What is a j
e
Muslim, and who is to define this category? In his book, Aje Carlbom
C
versus
presents the main actors in this discussion and their ideological positions and
a
interests. The multiculturalist ideology is hegemonic in Sweden on issues
r
concerned with cultural diversity, and intellectuals in various fields of knowledge l
b the Real Other
subscribe to the main moral dictates of this ideology. The author claims that the o
use of multiculturalist ideals when dealing with the Other masks essential m
important cultural and social aspects and processes. He argues that the
multiculturalist hegemony, as all ideological systems, is reproduced through |
Multiculturalism and the Representation
various material and symbolic affirmations and sanctions. Actors who criticize
T
of Muslims in Sweden
the ideology run the risk of being classified as racists, and consequently
h
excommunicated from the community of right-minded citizens.
e
The statements in this discourse about what is and ought to be when it comes
I
to Muslim integration are contrasted to empirical data gathered through m
anthropological fieldwork in a Muslim neighbourhood in Malmö, the third
a
largest city in Sweden. The author shows that the discourse of Islam in Sweden, g
i
which is guided by multiculturalist ideals, leaves out important fields of
n
knowledge which are crucial to an understanding of Muslim integration. The e
d
hegemony of multiculturalism, he argues, is an obstacle to understanding

multicultural society. Further, the unintended consequences of good intentions v
e
may actually contribute to excluding Muslims from fully participating in
r
Swedish society. s
u
s
t
h
Cover art: Charles Conder, Moonlight at Mustapha 1892
e

R
e
a
l

O
Aje Carlbom
t
h
e
r
Lund Monographs in Social Anthropology
ISSN - ISBN ---
Department of Sociology
Lund University
P. O. Box 
LUND MONOGRAPHS IN SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY 12
SE-  Lund
A re Muslims so different from other citizens in Sweden, that they have to A The Imagined
live in segregation and be separated from the rest of society? What is a j
e
Muslim, and who is to define this category? In his book, Aje Carlbom
C
versus
presents the main actors in this discussion and their ideological positions and
a
interests. The multiculturalist ideology is hegemonic in Sweden on issues
r
concerned with cultural diversity, and intellectuals in various fields of knowledge l
b the Real Other
subscribe to the main moral dictates of this ideology. The author claims that the o
use of multiculturalist ideals when dealing with the Other masks essential m
important cultural and social aspects and processes. He argues that the
multiculturalist hegemony, as all ideological systems, is reproduced through |
Multiculturalism and the Representation
various material and symbolic affirmations and sanctions. Actors who criticize
T
of Muslims in Sweden
the ideology run the risk of being classified as racists, and consequently
h
excommunicated from the community of right-minded citizens.
e
The statements in this discourse about what is and ought to be when it comes
I
to Muslim integration are contrasted to empirical data gathered through m
anthropological fieldwork in a Muslim neighbourhood in Malmö, the third
a
largest city in Sweden. The author shows that the discourse of Islam in Sweden, g
i
which is guided by multiculturalist ideals, leaves out important fields of
n
knowledge which are crucial to an understanding of Muslim integration. The e
d
hegemony of multiculturalism, he argues, is an obstacle to understanding

multicultural society. Further, the unintended consequences of good intentions v
e
may actually contribute to excluding Muslims from fully participating in
r
Swedish society. s
u
s
t
h
Cover art: Charles Conder, Moonlight at Mustapha 1892
e

R
e
a
l

O
Aje Carlbom
t
h
e
r
Lund Monographs in Social Anthropology
ISSN - ISBN ---
Department of Sociology
Lund University
P. O. Box 
LUND MONOGRAPHS IN SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY 12
SE-  Lund

Carlbom, sida 1
THE IMAGINEDVERSUSTHEREALOTHER
Carlbom, sida 2
Carlbom, sida 3
Aje Carlbom
The Imagined versus
the Real Other
Multiculturalism and the Representation of Muslims in Sweden
LUND MONOGRAPHS IN SOCIAL ANTHROPOLOGY 12
Carlbom, sida 4

©
Aje Carlbom 2003
 
Kjell E. Eriksson
 
Ilgot Liljedahl

Kjell E. Eriksson
 
Dept. of Sociology, Lund University 2003
 ---
  
Dept. of Sociology, Lund University
P.O. Box 114
SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
Fax [phone] E-mail [email protected] www.soc.lu.se/info/publ
Carlbom 5
To
My Parents
6 Carlbom