A serious incident recently occurred at Linnaeus University in Sweden, when masked individuals entered the Muslim prayer room on campus and placed pieces of pork—food forbidden in Islam—inside Quran books and other sacred writings. The act, perceived as particularly offensive to followers of Islam, sparked outrage among Muslim students, who demanded an immediate response from the university administration.

The academic institution's leadership was quick to condemn the serious incident, but despite investigative efforts, has not yet succeeded in identifying those responsible for the act. The incident raises disturbing questions about the relationships between different communities within the academic institution, which is considered one of the leading universities in Sweden.

Linnaeus University, founded in 2010 following a merger between Växjö University and Kalmar University, is named after the famous Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, one of the founders of the modern system of biological classification. The institution operates on two main campuses—in the cities of Växjö and Kalmar—and offers a wide range of academic study programs.

The Växjö campus, which is the larger of the two, is equipped with modern infrastructure, student dormitories, research laboratories, and a developed social environment. The Kalmar campus, in contrast, is located near the coast and focuses on marine sciences, ecology, biology, and tourism. Its unique location enables specialized programs related to marine ecosystems and sustainable development.

The institution takes pride in the wide variety of fields of study it offers, including business and economics, computer science and information technology, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, education and teaching, art and design, as well as marine and environmental sciences. Particularly notable are the English-language study programs, especially for advanced degrees, which attract students from around the world.

Linnaeus University is an institution with a distinctly international orientation, participating in student exchange programs such as Erasmus+ and maintaining collaborations with academic institutions worldwide. Currently, students from more than 80 countries study on its campuses, and the international environment forms an integral part of the academic experience.

The university places special emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, practical application of knowledge, and advanced teaching methods. The Växjö campus is recognized as one of the greenest campuses in Sweden, offering optimal conditions for studies, accommodation, and leisure activities.

Parallel to the discussion about the serious incident in the prayer room, it is important to note that on social media, unfounded claims sometimes appear suggesting that over 85% of students at Linnaeus University are Muslims. However, these claims have no basis in official sources or reliable statistical data.

The facts indicate otherwise: Linnaeus University, like all universities in Sweden, is a secular public institution. In Sweden, official information about students' religious affiliation is not collected, as this is considered personal and sensitive information. Additionally, the student population at the university is diverse in terms of ethnicity and culture, but the vast majority are Swedish students and students from European Union countries. Therefore, claims about a significant Muslim majority at the university likely stem from disinformation or biased interpretations lacking factual basis.

According to data from the Pew Research Center from 2017, Muslims make up about 8% of Sweden's population, which numbers about 10 million residents. This amounts to approximately 800,000 people, and according to various migration scenarios, this percentage may grow to 11-30% by 2050. Other studies suggest lower estimates, between 6% and 10% of the population, depending on the counting method—whether only religious Muslims are counted or also people from Muslim countries in general.

The incident in the prayer room at Linnaeus University does not occur in a vacuum. It adds to a series of intercultural tensions taking place in Scandinavian countries in recent years, against a background of complex questions concerning immigration, integration, and cultural and religious identity. Sweden, which for many years was considered a model of tolerance and acceptance of others, has been facing new challenges in this area in recent years.

The university administration informed the "Maakav" editorial team that it continues to investigate the incident with full seriousness, and is simultaneously working to strengthen intercultural dialogue on campus. Representatives of Muslim students at the university are calling for increased security measures in prayer rooms and for raising awareness about the importance of mutual respect between different religious groups.

Additionally, on the university's website, the institution published a statement:

"Unacceptable violations towards Muslim students. Offensive acts were directed at Muslim students at Linnaeus University. Among other things, vandalism was committed on Qurans that were kept on university premises and used for prayer.

"We take this case very seriously. The university stands on values of respect for the equal worth of human beings and the freedom of each individual as the basis for our activities. We will not tolerate any action that infringes on the human rights of others. There is zero tolerance at the university for any type of discrimination. The case has been reported to the police, but as of now, we do not know who is responsible", said the President of Linnaeus University, Peter Aronsson.

Linnaeus University must be a place where everyone can feel safe and belonging. Freedom of religion is a fundamental right that we must protect and preserve always" (Translation by "Maakav").

Linnaeus University is an example of a modern academic institution that combines academic excellence with an international approach and emphasis on sustainability. The serious incident in the prayer room serves as a reminder of the challenges facing multicultural societies, and the need for ongoing dialogue and building bridges between different communities.

The students at the university, along with the academic and administrative staff, continue to maintain their study routine, hoping that those responsible for the serious act will be identified and brought to justice, and that the university will succeed in maintaining an atmosphere of mutual respect and tolerance among all members of the academic community.