Divergent conceptions in the Finnish Muslim community: an analysis of religion, community, violence, and their interrelations

This study examines Finnish Muslim community members’ conceptions of religion, community, and violence through an ethnographic phenomenographic analysis of 22 interviews and fieldwork notes. The findings indicate that violence is shaped not only by individual experiences but also by communal, cultural, and religious structures. It appears primarily as mental and social control maintained by honor norms, power relations, and the misuse of religious concepts. The community functions as both a protective and risk-producing structure. The results highlight the need for social work to recognize these cultural and communal dimensions, build trust, and develop equitable practices that support victims’ agency.