City tackles increasing hate and racism while hosting high level political forum against antisemitism

A new cross-sectoral initiative combating hate and racism at decision making level launches just in time for the European high level political forum against antisemitism in Malmö, Sweden. The initiative is called “Kodex Malmö” and is already gathering political parties right to left, private companies, civil society organisations and representatives from the three major religious communities. Together they are pushing for Sweden’s third biggest city to take steps to combat the antisemitism and islamophobia which have been heckling the city for years. Including attacks on local synagogues and public burnings of the Quran.

- As world leaders gather in Malmö, so do local leaders. We are drawing a line and forming a moving force to stand up against hate and haters. It is not only muslims or jews who are calling out hate - all people are joining Kodex Malmö to take action, says Andreas Hasslert, project manager at Ibn Rushd Study Association, one of the initiators to Kodex Malmö.

The last 10 years hate crimes against muslims have doubled in Sweden and the city of Malmö is facing the highest rates of antisemitism in the country according to the national institute for crime statistics (BRÅ). To make things worse, Danish right wing extremist politicians, such as Rasmus Paludan, are using the border city Malmö as a testing ground for new hate messaging and racist rallies. The initiative “Kodex Malmö” is a public response and outcry against this development. It calls upon all local actors to take accelerated action against hate within their own mandates and contexts as the European high level political forum approaches. The initiative is gathering the whole political spectrum, and both civil society and private equity have pledged to take action. The initiative has support from the national counter violent extremism center (CVE), the local department for safety and security in Malmö city, and Nordic safe cities. The initiative is unique of its kind and hopes to be a new hot pot for blueprints on combating hate and racism.

- For a long time, racism has shaped the story of Malmö, it’s time that we write our own story. It’s time for all actors to remember and react on our streets, schools, agendas and in our board rooms, says Andreas Hasslert.

The European high level political meeting for the remembrance of the holocaust and against antisemitism takes place on the 13th of October in Malmö, Sweden. The meeting is set to host digital giants such as Google, Facebook and TicToc together with world leaders such as Isaac Herzog, president of Israel, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission and Stefan Löfven, the Swedish Prime minister. The aim of the conference is to take concrete action to combat online hate.

About Ibn Rushd Study Association:

Ibn Rushd was established in 2008 and is one of ten non-governmental study associations in Sweden which receives annual public funding. Ibn Rushd is politically independent and aims to strengthen the democratic development in Sweden and in the muslim movement. Ibn Rushd is guided by Muslim values such as justice, solidarity, liberty and diversity and it’s vision is for Muslims to constitute a self-evident part of Sweden. Ibn Rushd supports human rights and renounces all forms of violence, extremism and hate.

Kodex Malmö, signed parties:

Ibn Rushd, the Muslim Study Association

The Jewish Community of Malmö

Open Skåne

Malmö non-profit organisation

ABF, The Workers' Study Association Malmö

Altitude meetings

Arabic bookfair

Bilda, the Study Association for the Pentecostal Church, the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church

Bosnian islamic association Malmö

Ebureca proffsen

Flamman, social preparedness center

International Phoenix association

Islamic Ahmadiyya community Sweden

Islamic association in Malmö

Islamic center

Islamic Shia community Sweden

Kommon Ground

Koranpodden, The Quran podcast

Kulturens, the Culture worker's Study Association

Marrocan association in Malmö

Mobil ångbilstvätt, Mobile steam car wash

NGBG culture association

Oud House

Progreat

Repatriate the children Sweden

Skåne City Mission

Social democrat party, Malmö

Soft culture network

Somalian umbrella organization in Skåne

Southern Skåne's scout district

Swedish church Malmö

Swedish Red Cross, Malmö group

The Afro-Swedish society

The Green party, Malmö

The Left Party, Malmö

The Moderate party Malmö

The Scandinavian WAKF i Sweden

Växtvärket, the Herbaceous power plant

Women's shelter Öresund

Youth shelter, Öresund

Want to know more about Kodex Malmö contact Andreas Hasslert kontakt@kodexmalmo.com or +4670-938 8038

Want to know more about Ibn Rushd Study Association contact Emelie Weski emelie.weski@ibnrushd.se or +4670 883 01 74