Muslim Students in Sweden Change Schools to Escape Racism, Study Finds
According to the Arabic news website Alkompis, the research—conducted by the University of Gothenburg—examined the experiences of Muslim students who reported facing discrimination in central schools. The study followed students at a suburban high school in Gothenburg over four academic terms.
Christopher Ali Thorén, an education researcher who led the study, told Swedish Television (SVT) that the aim was to highlight the lived experiences of Muslim students. “Most school-choice research does not take religion seriously as a factor influencing students’ decisions. That needs to change,” he said.
Thorén, who is also Muslim, explained that many participants felt more accepted by teachers and peers in suburban schools. “Students I interviewed said they were more likely to experience discrimination and hatred in inner-city schools,” he noted.
He believes improving the sense of belonging among Muslim students starts with recognizing aspects of their faith within schools. “Simple steps such as providing a quiet room for prayer or acknowledging Islamic holidays can help build a more inclusive environment,” Thorén said.
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While Swedish law requires education to remain secular, Thorén emphasized that this does not mean religion must be completely absent from school life.
“Schools already celebrate Christian holidays like Christmas and Easter, and Muslim students are sometimes asked to participate,” he said. “I’m not calling for these events to be canceled, but for additional activities that promote mutual understanding.”
Currently, school principals have the discretion to decide whether to allow religious practices such as prayer during the school day—a policy Thorén considers problematic.
He urged Gothenburg’s municipal authorities to take responsibility and issue clear guidelines on fasting and prayer, arguing that “the current ambiguity leads to unnecessary conflicts in schools.”
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