How Possessing, Lovesick and Avenging Jinns are Exorcised in Contemporary Sweden

This article investigates the practice of ruqya (Islamic exorcism) in Europe. First, the basic presuppositions of ruqya – the clientele, the jinns, and why they might possess humans – are explained. This is followed by an in-depth example of how ruqya is currently conducted in Sweden and a general model outlining nine stages is suggested for analysing ruqya. Finally, the article considers whether the practice of ruqya in Europe differs from the way it is practised in Muslim countries. Ruqya in Europe seems to include less physical violence, and it is implicitly used to counter Muslim assimilation and uphold orthodox Islamic values.