The CORE Forum’s report Islam in Finland – Present and Challenges was published on February 5th during an event at the Little Parliament. The report was made as a part of the 2023–2024 project Strengthening Nordic Interfaith Dialogue funded by the Centre for Peace Mediation at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The report includes interviews with five Finnish Muslim communities and analysis of domestic and international research on Muslims. The report was written by Aino Vihonen and Imam Sharmarke Said Aw-Musse.
In his opening speech, Aw-Musse highlighted the challenges Muslims face in Finland and shared recommendations to combat islamophobia. He warned against the dangers of hate speech, drawing parallels to historical events, and stressed how discrimination impacts societal inclusion. According to European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights’ (FRA) report, Finland ranks third in Europe for Muslim discrimination. Aw-Musse emphasized the need for concrete solutions to reduce prejudice and discrimination.
Professor Johanna Sumiala from the University of Helsinki discussed how media shapes perceptions of Islam. She highlighted how algorithms amplify sensationalist and stereotypical content, creating “social facts” through repetition. Sumiala also pointed to the fragmentation of public discourse, where people seek information that aligns with their own perspectives, fostering social bubbles. She stressed the importance of examining who controls media narratives and visibility.
Researcher Linda Hyökki, speaking remotely, addressed islamophobia from a public policy perspective. Working with the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism, Hyökki outlined best practices for tackling islamophobia, calling it a threat not only to Muslim communities but to democracy itself. She emphasized the importance of engaging Muslim communities in policymaking and training local governments to recognize structural racism.
Hamze Ahmed, Chair of the Young Muslims Forum, delivered a powerful and personal speech advocating for an inclusive society where everyone feels safe. He highlighted how islamophobia affects the daily lives and societal participation of Muslims, including youth and children. Ahmed called for broad anti-racism education and urged collective action to promote equality in Finland.
Inka Hopsu, member of the Finnish Parliament, closed the discussion by addressing the polarizing role of social media and the challenges posed by global political developments. She called for better understanding and knowledge of religions to counter stereotypes and promote constructive dialogue.
Download the report Islam in Finland – Present and Challenges here.
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