Sweden Democrat Veteran Defies Party - Files Seven Motions on Islam

STOCKHOLM - The fight over what it means to be Swedish has put Richard Jomshof on a collision course with much of the Sweden Democrats' leadership. But the party veteran is not backing down. On Wednesday he filed seven motions in parliament, demanding the closure of Muslim free schools, a veil ban in schools and an end to foreign funding of mosques.

For weeks Jomshof has been at the centre of a bitter internal row over national identity, and over how much weight Swedes' ethnic and historical ties should carry. His main opponent has been the party's chief ideologue, Mattias Karlsson.

Jomshof has stressed the importance of Swedish culture being carried on by Swedes, and of Swedes remaining the majority in their own country. Karlsson has defended the party's line of "open Swedishness" and rejected any form of ethnic nationalism. Jomshof, in turn, has accused Karlsson of smearing those who want Swedes to stay a majority as racists.

Party leader Jimmie Åkesson has also stepped in. In an op-ed in the tabloid Expressen on 30 October he defended open Swedishness and sharply criticised party figures who want to turn their personal convictions into party policy. He named no one, but the timing left little doubt.

READ MORE: Åkesson Ends Sweden Democrats Feud Over Swedishness - Threatens Expulsions

Back to his core issues

Jomshof shows no sign of retreating into the background. The seven motions return to the issues that have defined his political career: criticism of Islam, opposition to religious oppression and defence of Sweden's secular institutions.

They cover everything from schools and religious dress to mosque funding and the circumcision of boys. Several are aimed squarely at Muslim institutions and customs, while others apply to all religions.

Shut down Muslim free schools

In one motion, Jomshof calls for an immediate halt to new free schools with a Muslim profile, and for the remaining ones to be closed down.

He points to well-known cases of gender segregation, financial irregularities and links to Islamist circles. Tougher rules and revoked licences are steps in the right direction, he writes, but inspections and action against individual schools are not enough.

The motion singles out Växjö Islamic School, which he wants shut. In the end, Jomshof argues, it is about giving every pupil the chance to become part of Swedish society.

Veil ban for teachers and pupils

Another motion proposes a ban on the Muslim veil in preschools and primary schools, covering teachers and pupils alike and all forms of the veil.

Jomshof cites reports of preschools willing to help parents make sure their children keep their headscarf on during the day. School, he argues, should give children a space free from religious pressure.

"Children who are subjected to Muslim oppression at home must at least get the chance to escape it during school hours," he writes.

He describes the veil as an expression of patriarchal gender roles and religious submission, and says it works against the school's task of raising independent, critical thinkers.

Burqa and niqab ban in public

In a separate motion, Jomshof wants to ban full-face Muslim veils such as the burqa and niqab in all public places.

He points to bans and restrictions in other European countries and argues that Sweden should follow. He presents the proposal as a defence of democratic, cultural and secular values and calls the full-face veil oppressive to women.

Map the money behind the mosques

Jomshof also wants a survey of foreign funding for Muslim congregations and mosques in Sweden: how large the donations are, which countries the money comes from and whether strings are attached.

He warns that foreign states may be using the money to buy religious and political influence in Sweden.

Beyond the survey, he wants to look into banning foreign funding of religious groups altogether, a broader demand than mosques alone. He also wants Muslim associations active in Sweden to be required to have a basically positive attitude to Swedish society and its values.

No calls to prayer - for any religion

Another motion would ban all calls to prayer from religious buildings.

His argument is mainly aimed at mosques. He draws a line between the call to prayer, which carries an explicit religious message, and church bells, which he calls a sound signal with deep historical and cultural roots in Sweden.

Repeated calls to prayer, he says, force neighbours to listen to religious preaching they cannot opt out of. He stresses that the ban would apply to all religions.

"Faith is and should be a private matter between the individual and his or her god or gods," Jomshof writes.

Circumcision and uniforms

The motion on non-medical circumcision puts the child's bodily integrity first. Jomshof wants to ban the procedure for anyone under 18 when there is no medical reason, whether the motive is religious or cultural.

He argues that it is contradictory to invoke freedom of religion for a procedure that at the same time imposes a religious identity on the child.

The seventh motion concerns religious and political symbols on uniforms. Jomshof objects to police officers being allowed to wear religious headgear such as the hijab, kippah and turban with their uniform.

"I see it as self-evident that all exercise of public authority - not least the police and military with their monopoly on violence - must be neutral," he writes.

The seven motions are signed by Jomshof alone and are not party policy or joint positions of the Sweden Democrat leadership.