In Sweden there are more than 185 local muslim congregations but only a few purposefully built mosques. However, several mosque buildings are being discussed but have led to debates where both individuals and organized groups in society have expressed their dissatisfaction. The debate about the construction of a mosque in Karlstad is no different. Its a local project that has been scrutinized for the past ten years and in local media the mosque is portrayed as a "problem" in a number of different aspects ranging from geographical location, proximity to residential buildings and schools. The disagreements have been immense but debates about religious buildings, and perhaps especially mosques, are not a new phenomenon but have occurred in several cities around Sweden since the first mosque was built in Gothenburg in 1975. In a way the construction of mosques in the European landscape have become examples of a public issue that both divide and bring citizens of different political beliefs, religious background and national origins together.

This study analyzes the relationship between the mosque as a religious building and the media debate around it, using the concept of media logic as well as the theoretical concept and phenomenon NIMBY. NIMBY is an acronym for Not in my backyard, a term that can be used to describe debates where people protest against buildings, ranging from malls to oil refineries, to be built near their homes if perceived to have a negative effect on private properties. Nonetheless NIMBY can also be seen as a way for citizens to communicate with decision makers and vice versa, a way for decision makers to gain knowledge of contemporary social interests.