The Muslim Vibe
Monday March 25, 2019
Sweden has recently elected not only its first MP of Somali descent,
but also its first woman to wear hijab in government. Leila Ali Elmi, a
former refugee from Somalia, arrived in Sweden at the age of two and now
represents a well-needed voice for the suburb of Angered in
northeastern Gothenburg.
Angered, a place often criticized for its
high unemployment, poor education, segregation, and high migration
levels, has been a talking point for much of the far-right political
rhetoric against immigration and cultural diversity. MP Elmi, as a voice
for this suburb of her constituency in Gothenburg, is attempting to
slowly win over the rise of far-right extremists."I’m
working against institutional racism, and I’m working for women to get
the same opportunity to establish themselves in the workforce…especially
for women who are immigrants.”
As
a member of the Green Party, Elmi not only represents the hugely
important immigrant population of Sweden but also a movement of people
deeply committed to environmental issues in the political arena. Her
dedication towards the environment, immigration issues, and women’s
rights have set her apart from others, and the fact that she wears a
hijab in government has impassioned both her supporters and critics.
"I’ve become a symbol of hate for extremists and racists. They see me as a threat to what Swedish society should be.”
Although
the rise of fascist and right-wing hate is on the rise globally,
inspirations like the example of MP Elmi remain an important aspect of
our society today: that despite the continued hate against immigrants,
Muslims, and minorities, there are still those who both support and rise
up despite the hate to become well-needed and much-appreciated voices
in government.