Sweden has seen a significant rise in the number of mosques over the past few decades, with estimates suggesting a 4,200% increase in less than 25 years, according to Samnytt. Meanwhile, membership in the Swedish Lutheran Church, once the state church, has dropped below 50% of the population.
Exact figures on mosques are uncertain due to the lack of official data. The Swedish Agency for Support to Religious Communities (SST) estimates there are around 300 mosques today, up from just seven “permanent prayer places” in 2000. However, since mosques are not required to register with the state and many operate in informal spaces like storefronts or basements, the true number could be higher. There is also little public information on their financing or the content of their teachings.
Funding for mosque construction comes from both domestic and international sources. The SST allocates millions of kronor yearly to Muslim organizations, which distribute funds to local congregations. Additionally, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, Qatar, and Turkey have contributed to or fully financed mosque projects. In 2017, the leftist outlet ETC reported that one in four mosques in Sweden was built with Saudi funding.
Some mosques have faced scrutiny. The Saudi-financed Gothenburg mosque has been criticized for sharing misogynistic content, while Stockholm’s Imam Ali mosque, linked to Iran, has hosted speakers promoting martyrdom and sacrifice for Islam. Despite these concerns, no comprehensive study of mosque financing or activities has been undertaken.
Swedish authorities, including the Security Services (SÄPO) and the Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), have warned that foreign states may use mosques to exert geopolitical and religious influence. Critics argue this lack of oversight is a growing issue.
According to a 2017 Pew Research Center report, 8.1% of Sweden’s population was Muslim, a figure surpassed only by France (8.8%) and Bulgaria (11.1%) in Europe. Some projections suggest that by 2050, Muslims could make up over 30% of Sweden’s population.
