Prayer calls in Växjö : A qualitative analysis of the debate in the printed daily press

The aim of this research paper is to elaborate and analyze the media debate on calls to prayer in Växjö in the period of February to May 2018. Sweden is known for being one of the most secular regions in the world. I found it interesting to investigate how Islam was portrayed in the media when the mosque in Växjö applied for a permit to announce prayers once a week. The methodological framework of this research is based on a qualitative method that analyzes the main opinions that were fundamental for the media debate. Another purpose was to identify any underlying topics of the debate that were not explicitly expressed. The findings implied that the debate about the call to prayer tended to actually be a conversation about something else. It suggests that the authors of the articles use the debate about call of prayer as a cover to discuss Muslims rights in the Swedish society. Freedom of religion was also a recurring subject of the debate.