In an interview with the public broadcaster, SD senior figure Richard Jomshof was asked to respond to criticism of his stance on Islam, as well as to the question of how he views believing Muslims in Sweden who do not recognize themselves in the depiction he paints, and who see themselves as Swedes.
– But then they are not Muslims. Then they do not follow the Koran, said Jomshof.

With only a few weeks left until the parliamentary election, Richard Jomshof (SD) continues to push the issue of Islam and Islamization in Sweden. During a visit to SD Dalarna and a town square meeting together with, among others, Kent Ekeroth, Jomshof was interviewed by SVT.

Jomshof has combined his campaign tour for the party with presenting his book Kafir, which sold out in one day. As Jomshof travels around the country giving lectures to Sweden Democrats about Islam, which he himself sees as a threat to democracy.

At the same time, his comments have sparked strong criticism from the establishment, not least from Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), who believes that Jomshof is disrupting the center-right election campaign with his statements. The background includes an interview with Dagens Nyheter in which Jomshof urged Muslims to stop being Muslims.

– Yes, that’s what he thinks. All politicians and parties seek attention, don’t they? Otherwise, maybe you are not doing your job. But above all, I pursue what I believe in, and my party pursues the issues we believe in, Jomshof tells SVT.

At the same time, the SD leader has his sights set on a ministerial post in a possible new Tidö government. But not one of the existing posts. Jomshof instead wants to see a new position as Minister for Democracy, where he himself could take responsibility for issues relating to Islam.

– I could be a very good minister, he says to SVT.

“Sweden belongs to the Swedes”

According to Richard Jomshof, Islam is not compatible with Sweden’s democratic system. He further argues that the problem lies with Islam as a religion, since that is where the religious texts and beliefs are found.

A state reporter present during Jomshof’s visit to SD Dalarna asks the SD leader whether a believing Muslim can be integrated into Swedish society.

– If by believing Muslim, you mean someone who believes in what is written in the Koran. No, then it is difficult, then it is not possible to integrate into a democracy. Because then you do not believe in democracy, since the Koran wants to control everything in society, he says and continues:

– If you want sharia laws, religious law, and that stands above secular law … then it cannot be combined.

– What if you do not want that, the state reporter interjects.

– Then you are not a believing Muslim, then you are not a fully believing Muslim. Then you do not believe in the Koran, Jomshof says.

– There are people who have a personal faith, who believe in something that is part of society, says the state reporter.

– There are surely all kinds of Muslims who believe in different things. But then they do not fully believe in the Koran, and that is probably good if they do not.

The SD leader is then asked how he views Muslims who identify as believing Muslims and consider themselves part of Sweden.

– They can be, as long as they follow the norms and values that apply here. But primarily I think about the Swedish people. I think about the Swedish people, because this is the country of the Swedish people. It is the only place in the whole world where the Swedish people can decide for themselves. This is our country. Period.