Sweden has earned a reputation as one of the most generous countries in the world when it comes to sheltering its struggling immigrant population. On a per capita basis, they host the largest number of refugees in Europe. This dedication to philanthropy is admirable, as is the multicultural identity they acquire through these endeavors, but their empathy also invites a fair amount of resentment.
Hate crimes in Sweden have increased as more suspicious elements invade the country and rival gangs jostle for turf. New documentary Salam Alaikum Sweden examines this increasingly volatile situation, with many shouting about the country’s lax immigration policies and calling for stricter border controls.
As serious conflicts continue to grip various parts of the world, including unprecedented violence at the hands of the terrorist group Islamic State, the refugee crisis will only increase in severity. The film takes us through the living conditions of some of those who have taken refuge in Sweden and lets them tell the stories of their near-death struggles as they flee their homes in search of a better life for themselves and their families.
The influx of refugees has had an extremely profound impact on the Swedish landscape. Some indigenous people have expressed displeasure at this perversion; they say they no longer recognize their country and are particularly concerned about the growth of the Muslim population. The issue, too, has become a political fireball as the two parties tussle over the delicate line between benevolence and intolerance.
Indeed, the fear of many natives in the country may be based entirely and selfishly on this intolerance, but there is no doubt that the refugee crisis has changed Sweden’s core identity. How much generosity can a country afford when it comes to its own survival and sense of community? Salam Alaikum Sweden, crafted by the internationally renowned news organization RT, offers no easy answers in its impartial investigation of these developments.
