Sweden Drops 'Islamophobia', Votes for Free Speech
by Robert Williams • May 12, 2026 at 5:00 am
"[T]here are people who suffer genuine anti-Muslim hatred, bigotry, and discrimination based on their faith or perceived identity. This must always be challenged and addressed, as it undermines pluralism and social cohesion. On the other hand, Islamist organizations have deliberately weaponized the term Islamophobia to shut down scrutiny of their ideology and political activities. By labeling criticism of Islamist ideas or networks as 'Islamophobic,' they deliberately blur the line between protecting people and protecting an ideology. This is why Islamophobia is the wrong term—it places an ideology beyond criticism rather than safeguarding individuals from hatred." — From "The Muslim Brotherhood's Strategic Entryism Into the United States: A Systemic Analysis," a report by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy, 2025.
In May 2025, a French Interior Ministry report, "Muslim Brotherhood and Political Islamism in France," cited evidence attesting "to [the organization's] active presence" in Sweden.
"This influence, the report states, 'is explained by the supply of funding from Qatar, the great tolerance of Sweden's multiculturalist policies, and the good relations between the movement and local political parties, particularly the Swedish Social Democratic Party.'" — Le Monde, May 30, 2025,
"We see that political Islam has gained a foothold and is being allowed to take over neighborhoods, schools, welfare, and even risks taking over political parties. Then we need to fight back.... Islamism does not want constitutions but Sharia law. It does not want integration but segregation. It wants men to have control over women and that you are not allowed to love whoever you want.... There are many Islamists who think they know better and that they have taken control of society, and we have let it be. We have not fought back." — Swedish Education and Integration Minister Simona Mohamsson, Expressen, October 1, 2025.
Sweden's generosity has been rewarded by a raft of problems: parallel Islamic societies, no-go zones, and one of the highest reported rape rates in Europe. In addition, migrant gangs have for years been laying waste to Swedish cities by rampant violence, bombings and shootings. All of these problems were probably allowed to spiral out of control from a fear of being called "racist" or "Islamophobic."
Europe should take notice that Sweden -- once a country where naming the multitude of problems linked to Muslim immigration was considered the greatest taboo -- has become the first to name one of the greatest obstacles to having an honest public conversation about the roaring Islamic takeover of Europe. It is urgent that other countries follow suit.
Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard recently announced that the Swedish government would be dropping not just the word but the entire concept of "Islamophobia," out of a preference for freedom of speech.
"We are pushing for the term 'Islamophobia' to be replaced with what is called 'anti-Muslim racism' or 'anti-Muslim hatred' in English," Stenergard said in response to a question from the Sweden Democrats party. Charges of "racist" or "Islamophobe" are being used worldwide to shut down anyone who questions or criticizes Islam or Islamist doctrines.
Sweden's decision is long overdue.
"[T]he term Islamophobia is deeply problematic, as it conflates two very different phenomena," wrote the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) in a 2025 report titled "The Muslim Brotherhood's Strategic Entryism Into the United States: A Systemic Analysis."
