The Swedish government has announced a change in its approach to the concept of ‘islamophobia’. abroad Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard informed Parliament that the state administration will no longer usage this word in authoritative communication. Instead, the terms "anti-Muslim racism" or "hate towards Muslims" are to be used, which is much better in relation to nonsubjective truth. At the same time, Sweden intends to advance this terminology change within the European Union and the United Nations.
Sweden rejects the word ‘islamophobia’. According to Stenergard, the word "islamophobia" is problematic due to the fact that it suggests primarily irrational fear of the individual, while the Swedish government believes that it is more precise to describe concrete manifestations of hostility or discrimination against Muslims.
The decision was welcomed by right-wing politicians, including representatives of the Swedish Democrats party. Euro MP Charlie Weimers argued that the concept of "Islamophobia" can be utilized to limit the debate on Islamism and the problems of immigrant integration. A akin position was presented by social activist Faw Azzat, who claimed that the word covers the boundary between religion criticism and prejudice against people.
At the same time, opponents of the left-wing decision point out that "no substance what terminology is adopted, the phenomenon of hostility towards Muslims remains a real social problem in many European countries". Organisations monitoring alleged hatred crimes and any academic communities argue that changing naming does not solve discrimination and can lead to semantic disputes alternatively of applicable actions. It is true, of course, but it is right to abandon the word ‘islamophobia’. Aversion to Muslim invaders is not about fear, but pure aversion to their culture.
The debate around the word "islamophobia" has been going on for many years. Supporters of its usage claim that it describes a circumstantial form of prejudice against Muslims. Opponents answer that this concept can be utilized to identify criticism of spiritual doctrines with racism, which may restrict freedom of public debate. It is this second argument that now seems to dominate the position of the Swedish Government.
Stockholm's decision may be the beginning of a wider discussion in Europe on how to separate between the protection of Islam's followers from discrimination from the right to critical assessment of religion, its doctrines and related political movements.
OUR COMMENTS: The first step to correct the current situation is to fix concepts. The slogans specified as ‘islamophobia’ or ‘homophobia’ do not reflect the fact and are a kind of absurd, left-wing fresh language. If individual does not like Islamists and sodomites, it is not due to the fact that they are afraid of them, but due to the fact that they realize the dangers that arise from promoting their way of life. The same is actual of the alleged “anti-Semitism” in which all criticisms of Jews and the State of Israel are attempted. Today, the anti-Semite is not the 1 who dislikes Jews, but the 1 who dislikes Jews.
Photo by Maria Malmer Stenergard.
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