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Cruise Ships are Everywhere

Typical Coast Scene

I had no idea what to expect when I arrived in Sweden. Although I had actually been to Malmo in Sweden in the 1970s, the truth is that it was only for a few hours and then only long enough to buy a couple of pieces of crystal and return back to Denmark where we were visiting.

I quickly learned from the Muslims who had moved here from other countries in the world that Sweden was most unique and had many things to offer for everyone, especially the Muslims. They told me that:

• Sweden was among the world’s best welfare states
• The prices were a bit high
• The Krona was their currency
• English is the second language - spoken almost everywhere
• Many languages can be found in a very small area
• Monarch constitution
• Sun seems to slide around the sky rather than pass over it
• Crime is not too high - officially
• Police are not high profile
• Most Swedes are fairly friendly
• Lutheran is the actual state religion - although Islam is rising
• Swedes were the last to accept Christianity
• Swedes were the first to leave Chrisitianity
• Christians are considered by many as weak minded
• Muslims are considered a bit strange and even dangerous
• Swedes are quick to reject any belief in a god
• Public drunkeness is very common place
• Sweden ranks number 1 in suicide
• Exposing the body even in cold weather is normal
• Dogs take precedence over humans
• Traffic laws are observed - if someone is watching

I was surprised to learn that the early Muslims had visited Sweden and Denmark during the time of the Vikings and had actually been the only chroniclers of the history up to that time. Even today when you want to learn about Swedish history you must begin with the ledger of one of our beloved early Muslim travelers. And in Stockholm, which is a cluster of 14 islands and part of the Swedish mainland, I found myself the honored guest of the brand new mosque in a special private room, complete with my own elevator - well, almost my own.

The mosque was built on qibla over 100 years ago on the design of the mosques and structures in Northern Africa and Spain. But the catch is that it was not built as a mosque nor was it built by a Muslim. It was designed by a Swede who was very impressed with the Islamic designs and it was built for the electric company. When Muslims first discovered the building for sale recently they just knew that it was from Allah and that had to have it. It did not come easy but Allah accepted their efforts and granted that it be opened just a few months before I arrived. Another amazing thing about the mosque is that it is considered by the government as a historical building and there are certain limitations and restrictions put on the Muslims regarding what they can change and what must be left as original. The good news is that it is automatically a tourist attraction and many people come to visit everyday. Great dawah... huh?

Orebro was a most fasinating experience for me and the trip there in the fall is breath taking. I saw everything imaginable from the quaking aspens of Colorado and New Mexico to the tall pines of South Carolina and even the brilliant colors of the leaves from New England. Along the way were the traditional barns and farmhouses and bridges of yesteryear complete with cows and horses and white haired children playing in the hay. I tried to capture it on video tape from the car, but after I got back to my suite in the mosque and viewed the results I realized that I only had some really good shots of the windsheild and the door post. Hey, you can win them all, right?