Scandinavia's Little Iraq

May 2008
As Stockholm gears up to host the first UN follow-up conference on the International Compact of Iraq (ICI) on Thursday, is Sweden about to burst its banks with Iraqi refugees? Since 2003, the small town of Sodertalje, has accepted more Iraqis than the USA and Canada combined.
Since the American-led invasion deposed Saddam Hussein in 2003, 40,000 Iraqis have arrived in Sweden. "If our children feel comfortable here and if they will have a good future I don't think there is any reason for us to go back," explains Marline Barkose, a mother who has moved to Sodertalje with her family. Although their family love living here, Marline also feels "that there are too many Arabs in Sodertalje". The suburbs are being dubbed 'Little Baghdads', everyone speaks in Arabic and it is hard for the new arrivals to learn Swedish. Is the influx of Iraqi refugees too much for Sweden to take?

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[adgw1423]

How about instead of focusing on being Iraqi they focus on being Swedish?

[BCAlison]

@fromwilliams I am all for supporting people but there should be accountability and personal development. We cannot have free loaders in the system. The welfare system works because everyone contributes to it. If people aren't contributing then we have a problem which will take down all the system.

However, I agree with your assertion. You can't demonize people and play race politics that's simply short-sightedness.

[NMHAJA]

@adgw1423 sadly there is alot of hidden racism in sweden, and prejudice between immigrants and swedes..

[mizzn88]

@adgw1423

I'm Iraqi living in Sweden- Södertälje for 11 years now and I 100% agree with you

[Abdikarimelmi]

@009jorge1 Fist apperance of homo sapiens in Europe (40,000) were not black, they were cro magnons. blacks only appeared 4,000 years ago (see Bantu expansion)

[matereo]

yeah... but those who really need refuge are the christian Iraqis and they never go anywhere.. the authorities throw away their applications and give other ones for Muslims who have alot less to fear.This is why the women's movement is stepping down in what used to be the most equal society in the world..and why Jews are more exposed to hate crimes than in almost any non Muslim country.The Swedish authorities are not integrating people on purpose. All other cultures but Islam will have problems

[McLover20121221]

@bluegreen988 no, you're hopeless cause i don't have time for people who carry this much hatred, i have my hard life myself i shouldn't waste so much time with you closed-minded ppl. and no jesus doesn't love you when you hate on people you don't even know anything about and judge them, i highly doubt that's what he tought you, highly doubt he's proud of you. that's the truth you don't see my friend.plz don't reply you make me sick and everybody with this hatred all over the world

[bluegreen988]

@McLover20121221 yeah jesus loves me because I am telling the truth..you can't face the truth,that is why you are upset..by telling me im a hopeless kid...

[McLover20121221]

@bluegreen988 so you're the one who decides our life line now? khehe, hopeless little bellend kid full of hatred, there's no point talking to you, may Jesus cure your ill heart amen !!

[bluegreen988]

@McLover20121221 why dont u back to your own country ,if u love it..u talk shit..yeah your family choose sweden not turkey for their safety..your family are making excuses saying that their lives are in danger back home,,.and they are not safe there..that is all the cockroachs refugees excuses saying that their lives are in danger ...cockroach.