Sweden abandons Islamophobia in favor of anti-Muslim racism in policy shift
The Swedish Government has dropped the term Islamophobia from its official language. Instead, authorities will now use anti-Muslim racism or anti-Muslim hatred when addressing prejudice or violence against Muslims. The shift follows long-standing criticism from the Sweden Democrats and concerns over free speech implications. Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard announced the change during a parliamentary debate in late April. She argued that the previous term was problematic and could restrict open discussion. Critics, including Sweden Democrat MP Richard Jomshof, had pushed for the revision, claiming Islamophobia was promoted by Islamist networks to silence criticism of Islamic doctrine.
The EU and UN still use *Islamophobia* in their policies, but Sweden plans to lobby both institutions for change. Sweden Democrat MEP Charlie Weimers praised the decision, calling the old term a *made-up concept*. The government’s stance also reflects broader debates about balancing free expression with protections against discrimination. The Muslim Brotherhood, a transnational Islamist group, is banned or listed as a terrorist organisation in several Muslim-majority countries. While not directly linked to the terminology shift, the group’s influence has been cited in discussions about how language shapes perceptions of Islam and its critics.
The policy update means Swedish officials will no longer reference Islamophobia in documents or statements. The government will now advocate for anti-Muslim racism as the standard term in EU and UN discussions. The change aligns with a broader push to clarify distinctions between criticism of religion and racial or religious hatred.
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