After Samnytt's article: Västtrafik removes Islamic Relief ads

On Wednesday, Samnytt reported that the Muslim aid organization Islamic Relief’s campaign in Stockholm’s public transport had sparked strong reactions, due to the organization’s alleged links to extremism and terrorism financing. At the same time, we also noted that the campaign was allowed in Gothenburg – but now, after contact from Samnytt, Västtrafik has decided to take down the ads.
– So that Västtrafik does not risk contributing to the financing of, for example, terrorist organizations, announced a business area manager.

Last year, Samnytt revealed that taxpayers have donated as much as 1.4 billion SEK to the Muslim aid organization Islamic Relief since 2016. At the same time, the organization has been accused by several countries of Islamist fundamentalism and terror financing.

There is widespread suspicion surrounding Islamic Relief’s work in crisis-affected countries. The main reason is their close ties to the radical Sunni Muslim movement, the Muslim Brotherhood – but also alleged connections to terrorism.

Among countries that have labeled the Muslim aid organization as a terror financier are the United Arab Emirates, but also Egypt, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

Another Muslim country, Bangladesh, has also banned Islamic Relief from operating in refugee camps for Rohingya from Myanmar. The official reason is concern that the organization’s aid workers could radicalize the refugees in the camps.

Islamic Relief’s advertisement in the United Kingdom. Photo: Islamic Relief

Germany has also cut ties with Islamic Relief and halted aid payments, while the United States has placed the organization under special review and is reassessing all collaborations. The decisions follow revelations that several leading figures in the Muslim organization have praised Hamas and spread grossly antisemitic statements.

Sida stopped aid

At the beginning of the year, the Swedish aid agency Sida announced it is suspending payments to the organization. Over the past ten years, Swedish taxpayers have contributed approximately 1.4 billion SEK to the organization.

The decision from the aid agency followed a review which revealed that people within the organization could be considered to have links to anti-democratic or violent environments.

Allowed to advertise

At the same time, the same Muslim organization is allowed to advertise in public transportation in both Stockholm and Gothenburg. The posters encourage travelers to donate money. The message is phrased as:

“You don’t see empathy. But you feel it when someone cares.”

A Samnytt reader reached out expressing frustration over having to see the ads, given what has emerged over the years.

– Am I seeing this right? How can SL allow public spaces to be used for advertising by such an organization? I get angry that SL exposes me to Islamist propaganda in public places. The propaganda is being shoved down my throat, the person says, continuing:

– Luckily, I live close enough to work that I can bike instead of supporting SL and the Islamist sympathizers.

The advertising campaign in Stockholm and Gothenburg. Photo: Private / Facsimile Facebook

Västtrafik: We should not risk contributing to terror

Samnytt contacted both Storstockholm’s public transport (SL) and Västtrafik to hear their reasoning in light of the accusations against the organization and Sida stopping aid.

Västtrafik, through Maria Björner Brauer, business area manager in marketing, informed Samnytt that both they and the advertising company Bauer Media, responsible for placing the ads, had taken note of the information Samnytt presented about the Muslim aid organization.

They maintain that the advertisement itself does not violate their “rules of the game,” but say these have now been adjusted to prevent similar campaigns in the future – so that Västtrafik does not risk contributing to the financing of, for example, terrorist organizations.

Read an excerpt from their explanation:

All advertising agencies employed by Västtrafik and renting Västtrafik’s ad spaces must follow our established advertising policy. It is the advertising agency that receives and reviews each campaign that is displayed. If there are any uncertainties about the content, the agency should consult with Västtrafik.

Västtrafik’s policy covers all advertising and all opinion ads on every advertising surface managed by Västtrafik, and is an application of laws, regulations, and guidelines, such as – but not limited to – the Chamber of Commerce ICC’s rules for advertising and the Marketing Act.

Regarding the current campaign you refer to, it does not violate Västtrafik’s policy. In Sida’s statement, it was described that no evidence of connections to the Muslim Brotherhood was found but that they still choose to end cooperation as a precautionary measure. This example has highlighted a new need in our advertising policy, and Västtrafik has chosen to adjust our rules to prevent similar campaigns in the future so that Västtrafik does not risk contributing to the financing of, for example, terrorist organizations:

– Advertising for organizations whose operations or brand can be associated with violations of human rights, links to criminal networks, terrorist organizations or anti-democratic activities.

The campaign will be taken down this week.

– Maria Björner Brauer, Västtrafik