Why Did the Mufti of Uzbekistan Meet with the Nazi Sweden Democrats Party?

News:

On 26 March, the ‘Dunyö’ news agency reported: “An international seminar was held in the Swedish parliament – the Riksdag – on the topic ‘Uzbekistan’s experience in the field of religious tolerance, combating extremism and the reintegration of former members of terrorist groups’.”

The seminar was attended by a delegation from Uzbekistan led by the Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, Mufti Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiknazarov. The delegation also included Davronbek Makhsudov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs; Arkady Isakharov, Chairman of the Jewish Religious Community; Lyudmila Schmidt, Head of the German Lutheran Church; Dilrom Faiziyeva, Member of the Oliy Majlis; as well as religious scholars and experts.

Comment:

It should be noted straight away that Björn Söder, a representative of the far-right Sweden Democrats party, took part in the seminar on the Swedish side. No mention was made of representatives from other parties taking part. This raises many questions. What sort of relationship could the Mufti of Uzbekistan possibly have with these well-known haters of Islam and Muslims? What sort of exchange of experience are we talking about between the Uzbek regime, which is recognised as dictatorial, and democratic Sweden, led by the Sweden Democrats?

If we take a cursory look at the statements made by representatives of the Sweden Democrats, we can see that the party’s leader, Jimmie Åkesson, is known for his fierce hatred of Islam, Muslims and immigrants. Jimmie Åkesson has called for the confiscation and demolition of mosque buildings. He has also stated that Sweden must halt the construction of new mosques. In his view, minarets and domes are Islamist symbols that should not define the appearance of Swedish towns.

He divides Muslims and says: ‘Islam is our greatest external threat since the Second World War.’ “Islam is not merely a religion; it is a comprehensive political ideology that claims to govern every aspect of society. It is fundamentally incompatible with our Western values, democracy and equality.”

In Sweden, people continue to burn the Quran, and Jimmie Åkesson is seeking to enshrine the burning of the Quran in law: “Personally, I don’t like it when books are burned, but in a free democracy you must have the right to express your opinion, even if it shocks or offends others.”

Another representative of the Sweden Democrats, Richard Jomshof, one of Jimmie Åkesson’s closest allies, made the following statements: “Islam is a monstrous ideology and religion.” He compares Islam to Nazism and communism, and calmly, with the backing of his party, insults the Prophet Muhammad (saw): “... a dialogue about Islam, this anti-democratic, violence-preaching and misogynistic religion/ideology founded by the warlord, mass murderer, slave trader and bandit Muhammad.”

The Sweden Democrats have effectively divided society into two camps: those who hate Islam and Muslims, and those who defend Islam and Muslims. In Sweden, there continue to be public burnings of the Quran, systematic attacks and acts of vandalism against mosques.

Given the Swedish Democrats’ stance on Islam and Muslims, it is only reasonable to ask the Mufti of Uzbekistan: is it not the Quran that has introduced us to Allah!? What sort of cooperation can a Muslim possibly have with those who burn the Quran!? Who insult our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw)!? Who demand that mosques be closed and all Islamic symbols banned!? Is everything alright with your faith!?

Muslims of Uzbekistan!!! Was it not our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) who brought us the Noble Quran!? What could be more sacred to a Muslim than Allah (swt), the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (saw)!? Has the time not come to take our destiny into our own hands, to rid ourselves of tyrannical rulers and disgraceful muftis who conspire with the enemies of Islam against Muslims! It is time to change this corrupt reality, by restoring righteous rule under the leadership of a righteous ruler of Islam and the Muslims!!!

Allah the Almighty said in His Noble Book:

[إِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ] “Allah would never change a people’s state until they change their own state” [13:11].

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Eldar Khamzin
Member of the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir