Experiences of Native Finnish Women who Converted to Islam
Eboreime, Jennifer; Geddi, Sadio (2017)
Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu
2017
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201704064374
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201704064374
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this thesis was to uncover the experiences of native Finnish women who have converted to Islam, in a non-Muslim majority country. A sub-interest in this study, seeks to uncover what type of support individuals would have needed during their transition into the religion of Islam and what types of factors affected it.
The need for understanding this phenomenon became evident during the first two years at Laurea University as the cultural competence courses provided on campus caused intense reactions from students who had opposing opinions about the religion of Islam and the need to have a general and professional understanding of its function in the lives of millions of individuals across the globe. The local interest in this study and the usefulness of the findings contribute to the working partner Nuoret Muslimit ry and their development of outreach programs available to Muslim and non-Muslim youth in the capital area.
Literature in this thesis included social work related competences focusing on culture and religion and the importance of gaining a better understanding of these subjects.
The planning and implementation of this study used participatory and traditional methods. Community involvement alongside academic interests drove this study forward and actively included members of the society in developing the study design for the research. The use of semi-structured interviews in this participatory study provided the researchers to scratch the surface and begin to uncover a bit what types of experiences and disparities exist within the Muslim community of Finland and how to build on those and improve the conditions. Participants in the study were keen to share their experiences and Nuoret Muslimit Ry equally eager to begin taking action.
The findings have discovered and identified a new Finnish minority group and their experiences during their transition into their new identity. Many new phenomena were discovered throughout this study and suggestions for future studies have also been made.
The need for understanding this phenomenon became evident during the first two years at Laurea University as the cultural competence courses provided on campus caused intense reactions from students who had opposing opinions about the religion of Islam and the need to have a general and professional understanding of its function in the lives of millions of individuals across the globe. The local interest in this study and the usefulness of the findings contribute to the working partner Nuoret Muslimit ry and their development of outreach programs available to Muslim and non-Muslim youth in the capital area.
Literature in this thesis included social work related competences focusing on culture and religion and the importance of gaining a better understanding of these subjects.
The planning and implementation of this study used participatory and traditional methods. Community involvement alongside academic interests drove this study forward and actively included members of the society in developing the study design for the research. The use of semi-structured interviews in this participatory study provided the researchers to scratch the surface and begin to uncover a bit what types of experiences and disparities exist within the Muslim community of Finland and how to build on those and improve the conditions. Participants in the study were keen to share their experiences and Nuoret Muslimit Ry equally eager to begin taking action.
The findings have discovered and identified a new Finnish minority group and their experiences during their transition into their new identity. Many new phenomena were discovered throughout this study and suggestions for future studies have also been made.