Terror-Linked Islamic Relief Allowed to Advertise in Public Transport Across Sweden

A marketing campaign for the Muslim aid organization Islamic Relief Sweden (IRS) is currently running on public transport in both Stockholm and Gothenburg—even though the Swedish development agency Sida earlier this year halted any new grants to the organization citing allegations of Islamism and terror financing. The campaign is now drawing strong criticism and debate from various quarters.

Last year, Samnytt revealed that taxpayers have donated a total of SEK 1.4 billion 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 significant suspicion surrounding Islamic Relief’s activities in crisis-hit countries, due at least in part to its close ties to the radical Sunni Muslim movement the Muslim Brotherhood.

Allah is our goal; the Prophet is our leader; the Quran is our law; jihad is our way; and death for Allah’s glory is our highest aspiration

– The Muslim Brotherhood’s motto

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

Another Muslim-majority country, Bangladesh, has also banned Islamic Relief from operating in refugee camps for Rohingyas from Myanmar. The official reason is a fear that the organization’s aid workers may radicalize refugees in the camps.

Stock photo. Another of the organization’s advertising campaigns in a different country. Photo: Islamic Relief/press photo

Germany, too, has cut ties with Islamic Relief and halted aid payments, while the United States has placed the organization under special review and is reconsidering all cooperation. These decisions come after several leading figures within the Muslim organization have praised Hamas and spread grossly antisemitic statements.

At the beginning of the year, the Swedish development agency Sida announced it was halting payments to the organization. Over the past ten years, Swedish taxpayers have contributed around SEK 1.4 billion to Islamic Relief. The decision comes after pressure from the Sweden Democrats and marks a complete reversal in the agency’s previous funding approach.

The agency’s decision followed an investigation which revealed that individuals within the organization could be considered to have links to anti-democratic or violent environments.

Advertising Allowed

Nonetheless, the same Muslim organization is allowed to advertise on public transport in both Stockholm and Gothenburg. The posters urge travelers to donate money. The message is framed as follows:

“You cannot see empathy. But you feel it when someone cares.”

The fact that the Muslim organization Islamic Relief has been able to fund these ads for their fundraising campaigns in multiple cities is likely due to the extensive billion-krona support they have received from Swedish taxpayers over the years.

The ad campaign in Sweden. Photo: Private / Facsimile Facebook

“Islamist Propaganda”

One of Samnytt’s readers got in touch after seeing the ad during a public transit journey and expressed anger that SL, according to the person, is spreading what they consider Islamist propaganda in public spaces.

– Am I seeing this right? How can SL provide public spaces for advertising to such an organization? I’m furious that SL subjects me to Islamist propaganda in public places. Propaganda is being shoved down my throat, the person says, and continues:

– Luckily, my job is close enough that I can cycle instead of sponsoring SL and the Islamism sympathizers.

KD Politician: “The Ads Should Be Stopped Immediately”

The ad campaign has also caught the attention of a politician. Carl-Johan Schiller (Christian Democrats), a regional councillor in Stockholm, raises concerns about ties to terror support and the Muslim Brotherhood. He further argues that the organization is not a suitable partner for SL and the region.

“The ads should be stopped immediately,” writes the Christian Democrat.

Region: Does Not Violate Regulations

Despite the aid being halted after an investigation that confirmed serious concerns about the organization, and despite substantial criticism, the campaign continues to be visible on public transportation. The question of which actors are allowed to advertise in public spaces has therefore returned to the spotlight, and is sparking political debate in the Stockholm region.

Samnytt contacted Stockholm Public Transport (SL) to ask for their reasoning, but received the reply that they have no influence in the matter and referred to an external advertising agency said to make the decisions.

They then contacted Region Stockholm, which defends the Islamic Relief campaign. At present, the region has no objections to the campaign and argues that it does not violate current regulations.

Region Stockholm provides advertising space on public transport through procured advertising contracts. According to the agreements, the contractor is responsible for ensuring that all advertising complies with applicable laws, regulatory decisions, and practice, and follows International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) guidelines for advertising and marketing communications.

There are also clear contractual conditions for what types of advertising are not allowed, such as anything that violates the law or risks undermining trust in the operation. The assessment is based on the specific ad content, not on individual organizations’ funding decisions or current debates about them.

We currently have no information that the current advertising would violate existing regulations. If an ad is questioned or challenged, it is handled according to the contract and by the relevant oversight bodies.

– Region Stockholm to Samnytt

“Naive and Reckless”

Samnytt’s readers who have voiced their frustration about having to see ads from the controversial aid organization have commented on the Region’s response, calling their policy reckless.

– These officials who live off taxpayers are totally naive and reckless. I wish there were politicians with a backbone who could clean up the wrongful recruitment, the person tells Samnytt.