National Swedish broadcaster SVT's lengthy report on Turkey's Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria has sparked strong reactions on social media.
The reason is not so much the conflict itself and its interpretations, which triggered divisive reactions across the globe, but the fact that SVT's Middle Eastern correspondent Stina Blomgren was wearing a hijab.
Many were mortified by the Islamic “modesty veil” on the Swedish reporter, which they interpreted to lend support to the oppression of women.
“Why has your Swedish journalist veiled herself when reporting on Turkey / Syria from an indoor studio? Do you support women's oppression?”, an angry user inquired, posting a screenshot.
Hej @svtnyheter - varför har er svenska journalist beslöjat sig när hon rapporterar om Turkiet/Syrien från en inomhusstudio? Stöttar ni kvinnoförtryck? #svpol #skrotasvt #aktuellt #svtaktuellt pic.twitter.com/YwbkrwiP1f
— politiskanalys (@politiskanalys) 9 октября 2019 г.
“Why does Stina Blomgren have a headscarf on when she speaks in Swedish TV? Has she converted to Islam?” another viewer wondered.
Varför har Stina Blomgren slöja när hon talar i svensk TV? Har hon konverterat till islam? pic.twitter.com/KX2L0FJOXC
— Roland X (@RolandXSweden) 9 октября 2019 г.
“All while pretending to support political engagement that will improve the women's situation in the Middle East. What a joke. A veil in an indoor studio. How is that even possible?” another user scoffed.
Och låtsas stå för en politik och ett engangemang som ska förbättra för kvinnor i mellanöstern.. vilket skämt. Beslöja sig i en inomhusstudio. Hur är det ens möjligt?@svtnyheter
— Crypto Phil (@kryptofil) 9 октября 2019 г.
Another one, in a nod to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's recent scandal, joked that the reporter was overzealous to do an impression of Aladin and “Arabian Nights”.
“I believe she just takes the custom where she comes. Just like everyone who comes to Sweden leaves the veil and the prayer mat at the border and swears oaths to follow Swedish customs, laws and respect Swedes, the church, the Swedish culture as long as they are in the country”, another one smirked.
Tycker hon ska ta seden dit hon kommer. Precis som varenda kotte som kommer till Sverige ska lämna ifrån sig slöjan, bönemattan vid gränsen samt svära ed på att följa svenska seder, lagar och respektera svenskar, kyrkan, svensk kultur så länge de är i landet.
— Elias Muhsin (@MuhsinElias) 10 октября 2019 г.
“Stina Blomgren turns her coat to the Islamic wind”, yet another one suggested.
Stina Blomgren vänder kappan efter den islamiska vinden.
— Tina Tor (@BlottGott) 10 октября 2019 г.
Some went so far as to call SVT “infiltrated by Islamists” and called for it to be privatised.
Several people pointed out that the SVT reporter is currently in Iran, where the headscarf has been mandatory since 1979.
Still, many were unconvinced.
“There is absolutely no need to wear a veil in Iran when standing in a studio/hotel/roof terrace”, a user stressed blankly.
Finns absolut ingen anledning att bära slöja i Iran när man står i en studio/hotell/takterrass.
— politiskanalys (@politiskanalys) 10 октября 2019 г.
“The law only applies out on the streets but not in private homes or during TV broadcasts to Sweden”, another one stressed.
Det är lag ute på gatorna men inte i privata hem eller vid TV-sändningar till Sverige.
— Roland X (@RolandXSweden) 10 октября 2019 г.
Some recalled the Swedish government's visit to Iran in 2017, when all Swedish representatives, including current Foreign Minister Ann Linde, who proudly maintains her predecessor's “feminist policy”, donned hijabs.
