This week, Sweden also made history by electing a new center-right coalition government that boasts that nation's first gay minister and its first black minister.
37-year-old Nyamko Sabuni is the new minister of integration and gender equality. She was born in Burundi where her parents, from the former Zaire—now the Democratic Republic of Congo—lived in exile. Thanks to Amnesty International, at age 12 she emigrated to Sweden with her mother and siblings. They were reunited with her father, a leading Zairian opposition figure.
"My mum and dad got jobs straight away ... which means for us there was nothing unusual. Our parents worked, we went to school and life went on."
Sweden has a long tradition of welcoming outsiders and is now beginning to impose restrictions. Some of Sabuni's proposals are quite controversial, such as banning wearing of the veil for girls under 15 years old and mandatory gynecological check-ups to detect genital mutilation. Critics have labeled her "Islamophobe" but Sabuni disagrees. "I don't think that learning the language, learning the codes in society, learning how society works, stands in contrast to one's own identity," she insists. "I have all these identities. When I'm with my Congolese friends I'm Congolese, when I'm with Swedes I'm pretty much like a Swede."
Integration Minister Debates Islamic Veils (Radio Sweden)
Anti-Immigrant Backlash on Swedish Border (Bloomberg)
Waouw...You go girl. We actually grew up in the same country. Different ethnic background but same upbringing nonetheless.
Great job, again, Rod!!
Posted by: Shabaka | 10 November 2006 at 03:25
Waouh! I'm impressed by Sweden...BBravo to Ms Sabuni..!!I'm from Burundi and I like to see good things/people coming from the region..It's encouraging!
Posted by: Etienne | 10 November 2006 at 13:05
Respected Madam, (Honrable Ministry of Integration and Gender Equality (Sweden) Mrs. Nyamko Sabuni 31st March 2007 is Birthday )
I am Mehul Pancholi from Ahmedabad, India & working in corporate sector as Hardware Professional & Communication.
I am a big fan of yours. I also know relations between India & Sweden are very good. Both countries are developing countries & achieving targets faster & faster. Wishing you great Success for Your Mission & Ambition for development. Also god give you courage to destroy international terrorism from the whole world. Also wishing a very good health of yours.
Once again my heartfelt wishes on Happy Birthday day .
Happy Birthday Day Mrs. Nyamko Sabuni
& Congratulation Swedish First Black Minister
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
[Mehul Pancholi]
Mehul Pancholi
A/6 Dalal Apartment,Nr. New Vikasgruh Road
Paldi,
Ahmedabad-380007
Gujarat, India
Contact No: +91-9879425801
Posted by: Mehul Pancholi | 30 March 2007 at 01:33