GAMBIA LAUNCHES TOURISM INSTITUTE TO TACKLE SKILLS DEFICIT IN TOURISM

The fact that the country is a tourist destination and relies heavily on tourism for its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the government has over the years being stepping up efforts to transform the country's tourism sector. Thus, the recent transformation of The Gambia Hotel School to a 'Tourism and Hospitability Institute'.

Accordingly, the launching is a direct response to the shortage of qualified personnel in the country’s tourism industry, which is now the fastest-growing sector of the small west African state's economy; and accounts for about 16 per cent of the GDP, according to government figures.

Tourism and Culture minister Fatou Mas Jobe-Njie says the move is in response to the shortage of skills in the tourism sector and in keeping abreast of ever-changing training needs of the industry.
The Gambia boosts of beautiful beaches that remain attractive to tourists

She said apart from offering professional training to new people entering the tourism and hospitality sector, the new institute will also be offering professional upgrading for existing employees to help them progress in their careers.

The aim of the institute is to produce graduates that will be more effective and efficient in their various vocations to which they will be called to duty in the near future, she said, adding that the institute might serve as an educational hub for both the country and the sub-region.

According to her, the transformation of the institute provides a convenient environment to kick-start new programmes in line with the country’s forward march to offer high levels of qualifications, so crucial to quality service delivery in the tourism and hospitality sector. The country's forests is a home to many animals

In doing so, she said, the country will be able to attract more tourists and tourism businesses will flourish, thereby giving the country’s economy the opportunity to achieve the growth it deserves.

However, she noted, the complexity of tourism is such that this expectation and aspiration is the same as for most other countries, developed and developing.

“This leads us back to the peak of competitiveness,” she said. “Our competition cannot be easily assessed, it is not as straightforward as it might be in other sectors and can be volatile as well.

“This is why we need to be on our toes, to ensure that the services we offer are of genuine high quality and as competitive as any other destination that is considered good.”


Africa contributes almost nothing in global tourism

Whilst tourism remains an important source of income generation to many countries in Africa, the continent has still not made the best use of the sector. According to minister Jobe-Njie, Africa has a market share of only three percent in the global tourism industry.

“This could partly be attributed to poor training in the sector that does not match current market needs,” Hon. Mas Jobe-Njie said. “Today, the discerning tourists are spoilt for choice and will not entertain sloppiness of services.”

“It is therefore important that we understand and master the needs of the tourists that we are out to serve. This calls for the need to invest heavily in human resource development in order to have the requisite personnel that can deliver high quality services in tourism and hospitality,” she observed.

STAKEHOLDERS BRAINSTORM ON PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

In a country where the private sector's power is stifled by government's monopoly, any move to break this barrier would be warmly welcome; thus the reason for a recent conclave dubbed 'Prospects and Opportunities of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in The Gambia’.

Held under the auspice of The Gambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in collaboration with the Gambia Import and Export Promotion Agency (GIEPA), the interface forum was part of the continuous advocacy - as officials believe that public-private partnership is one of the most credible alternatives to further development.

But with many businessmen fleeing the country for fear of expropriation; and a recent capital flight by one of the country's 13 banks, the room for the private sector to breath is tight, thus literally speaks Almami Fanding Taal, chief executive officer (CEO) of GCCI. "The discussion on development and development assistance has for a long time been dominated by ideologies in a way hijacked by the public sector."

He stressed the need for smart solution and development, noting that PPP has the advantage for government in the areas of resource mobilisation, access to expert skills, increased efficiency, and would also ease the burden on public budgets, and improve delivery of services, among others.

Taal, who was a former judge at the country's high court, said it include access to markets, job creation, and potential commercial gain, among others.

He also stated the need to advocate for PPP until when they have a framework in place. “Of course having the framework or the law in place doesn’t mean all sectors will be successful, but would start the process where serious business leaders will consider service that are well suited for the public,” he further remarked, adding that PPP is not a new word, but that they want a framework that will work for everyone.

Commenting on the notion held by many that the private sector only wants to make profit, the GCCI CEO said the private sector wants to give the people value for their money. He then called for a well-strengthened partnership between the two sectors for mutual benefit and for national development.

In his welcoming remarks, Muhammad M. Jagana, president of GCCI, described the forum as important and timely, while thanking all those who attended the forum.

For his part, Mod K. Ceesay, deputy permanent secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, thanked GCCI for organising the forum, while reiterating government's commitment and recognition of the need for PPP, something he said is an option for addressing financial problems.

He said the government cannot do it alone, and therefore called for partnership with the private sector in the attainment of government's blueprints.

ZENITH BANK SHINES DESPITE COUNTRY 'GRAPPLING WITH BAD DEBTS'

Zenith Bank (Gambia) Limited, a subsidiary of Zenith Bank PLC., West Africa’s biggest and most profitable bank has recorded outstanding results in all indices of financial standing, for its third year of operations in the country, as confirmed in its 2012 audited annual report.

The bank, which started operational three years ago, has been reported to have register a profit before tax of D45.6 million and a profit after tax of D37.5 million, with bad loans standing at nil, according to its financial statement, which was made available to journalists after its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM).

"The total assets of Zenith Bank Gambia increased by 48.7% from D632 million in 2011 to D940 million in 2012, deposit liabilities of the bank also increased exponentially from 2011 to 2012," the report stated.

Of particular mention in the bank’s resounding success is the remarkable growth in total operating revenue, which has increased by 158.7% from D46.4 million to D120.09 million.

"The most significant achievements and unbelievable realities of the bank is its ratio of non-performing loans to total loans, which remains nil, after three years of operation while other commercial banks in The Gambia are grappling with bad debts more than ever as their loans and advances portfolio continue to swell because of huge sums of monies given out as loans to customers who often times default, thus leading to bad debts (debts not likely to be paid), giving rise to banks losing millions of dalasis in profits.

Strategies for success
A management staff of the bank who spoke in anonymity attributed the impressive performance to the resilience of the Zenith brand, growing customer confidence in the brand, occasioned by exceptional customer service, teamwork and focused / practical leadership.

He said Zenith Bank’s business and operational strategies are geared towards exceeding the customer-service expectations of all their customers. “We are desirous of contributing meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the country.”

Sitting on the board of Zenith Bank Gambia, which opened its doors for business in the country in January 2010, are Prof. Muhammadou M.O. Kah who is also the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Gambia, as the board chairman, and Alhagie Abdoulie Touray, Alhagi Baba Tela, Mr Elias IgbinAkenzua, Mr Godwin Emefiele who is the current Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO), and Mr Emeka Anyaegbuna, MD/CEO of Zenith Bank Gambia.

The customer service culture of the bank is unparalleled in The Gambia, as it continues to replicate the wonderful successes in Nigeria and Ghana where within few years of its operation the bank is now rated among the top banks in those countries.

IHA CALLS FOR USE OF HYDRO-POWER TO HELP MANAGE WATER IN CLIMATE-CONSTRAINED WORLD

On the occasion of World Water Day, the International Hydropower Association (IHA) calls on the sector to use hydropower to help manage water in a climate-constrained world.

Beyond mitigation through reduced emissions compared with fossil fuel generation, the management of water is a core issue in responding to climate change. Water infrastructure is critical to global water security by providing buffers against increasing hydrological variability.

"In the face of climate change, multi-purpose hydropower has a vital role to play in managing water" said Tracy Lane, Programme Director, International Hydropower Association (IHA). "Water storage can protect communities from the impacts of unpredictable floods and droughts, and revenues from hydropower can help finance water management infrastructure."

Hydropower has experienced renewed interest from investors and policy-makers in recent years, with newly installed hydropower capacity exceeding 27GW in 2012. To maximise the community benefit of this renewed investment, IHA seeks to promote incentives for multi-purpose use of the stored water through sustainable practices.

"To ensure that projects are developed sustainably, IHA urges investors and operators alike to make use of the existing hydropower sustainability assessment tools," said IHA Sustainability Director, Cameron Ironside, adding that:

"With 2013 the International Year of Water Cooperation, it is relevant to highlight the role that integrated water and energy infrastructure asset management plays in contributing to enhanced regional cooperation across the world."

The International Hydropower Association (IHA) continues to promote the development of sustainable hydropower to enhance global energy and water security. Through a multi-stakeholder process, IHA has developed the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol as a tool to enable sustainability assessments and to maximise project benefits for all purposes. Sustainable hydropower infrastructure provides solutions for pressing societal water management needs.

These issues will be further discussed at the upcoming IHA World Congress in Malaysia from 21-24 May. Further details are available at

The International Hydropower Association (IHA) is a non-profit organisation, working with a network of members and partners to advance sustainable hydropower.

IHA's mission is to build and share knowledge on the role of hydropower in renewable energy systems, responsible freshwater management and climate change solutions. IHA champions continuous improvement in the hydropower sector through dialogue with all stakeholders.

Immigrants Gathered to Celebrate Nowrūz

As the world celebrates Nowrūz, - widely referred to as the ‘Persian New Year’ - many immigrants living in Blekinge, south of Sweden gathered yesterday at Karlskrona to celebrate this historic day that heralds a new chapter to millions of people around the world.

Nowrūz, which is celebrated March 20/21 each year, at the time the sun enters Aries, is a traditional festival of spring which starts at the exact moment of the vernal equinox, commencing the start of the spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Immigrants from different background attended the event.

“This is a time of forgiveness… a time to bury grievances and differences,” said Shahla Rajaee, a language supporter (språkstödjare), working with Humanus utbildning – a centre that gives among other services education and training.

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“Nowrūz has been celebrated and observed as the first day of spring and the beginning of the year for at least 3, 000 years. Since the turn of the century, celebrations have spread in many parts of the world,” she added

Although the celebration of Nowrūz is dated far back to 3, 000 years ago and has its roots in ancient Iran, the UN's General Assembly in 2010 recognized the International Day of Nowrūz, describing it as a “spring festival of Persian origin”. Each items on the table symbolises something.

During the meeting of The Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of the United Nations, held between 28 September to 2 October 2009 in Abu Dhabi, Nowrūz was officially registered on the ‘UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity’.

On the occasion of the celebrations of the day, UN’s Secretary General has sent a message of peace to Iran, offering his “best wishes to those who celebrate, and express hope that all people can use the occasion to reflect on the beauty of nature, the promise of spring and the power of culture to build peace,” Iranian news reported.

Although celebrations vary, - often by region and continents - but the belief that whatever a person does on Nowrūz will affect the rest of their year is widespread.

In the small city of Karlsrona, celebrations were held in the form of presentations of the significance of the day, cooking different types of foods and listening to various types of music.

About seven different food stuffs and items such as mirror, painted eggs, apples etc were placed on a table; and accordingly, each of them symbolises something.

“Today our calendar clocks 01/01/2713. The day is celebrated all over the world, and Sweden is no exception,” said Nazik, an Iranian immigrant.

Yesterday’s event was celebrated by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike, making it an occasion for socialisation

THE CULTURE OF FEAR: A THREAT TO POLITICAL SOCIALISATION IN GAMBIA

For more than a decade and a half, residents – be them citizens or non-citizen – of this tiny West African country of 1.8 million have been living under squalid provisos as a result of fear -- a tool that has polished off the minds of every person under the silhouette of Jammeh’s regime.

When Jammeh took the mantle of leadership by power of the weapon, citizens and non-citizens residing both in the country and across borders were euphoric, and had cheered him from day one with the utopia that he would be an angel of mercy that has come to save the souls of our people, especially as it relates to his policies toward poverty eradication, vis-a-vis keeping the wolf from the door.

When the phantasm turns out to be damp squib, people began to cry over spilt milk.
Two years after Sir Dawda was removed from office by the ‘22nd July Revolutionaries,’ – Jammeh and his cohorts – elections were held that stationed the armed forces in office, after Jammeh’s AFPRC was declared winner of the race.

From the streets of Doha, Qatar to Bogota, Colombia, scholars questioned the aptitude of Jammeh’s regime; many came out with the thesis that military intervention in African politics is a stroke in the neck for the people of the continent, who for ages have seen the birth of what many called ‘Intellectual slavery’: people have suffered in silence; the blood of fear runs through their stratum; they have been made to take pride in pain; they have been browbeaten, and have had ants in their pants.

People have been paranoid, because the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has taken precedence in every crook of the country: the taxi men have been employed to supplement the work of the intelligence service unit; your neighbour has been consulted surreptitiously by the NIA to keep and eagle eye on you day-in-day-out; your closest friend could at anytime pour hot on you.

These are all factors that are causative to ‘fear’ in the country; and that is why political socialisation has been handicapped by the horror of reprisal. In public places when you talk about politics, people have a propensity to look around the surrounding to see if there is any unfamiliar face within the vicinity.

In many occasion, though light-heartedly, people paradoxically framed the central prison of Mile 2 – one of the most dangerous prisons in the country – as being ‘A hotel’, because Jammeh himself has repeatedly raised fingers that anyone who breaks the law will go to the pseudo ‘hotel’. The irony behind this ‘hotel’ is the fact that it is cheap to get oneself there, and that it has turned out to be an anticipated routine for activists.

In the Gambia, peaceful protest is intolerable by the government and is always seen as a radical departure from government’s conventional policies.
John has been arrested recently on several occasions.

The pictograms of trepidation could be sensed throughout the length and breadth of the country: the turnout for the November 24 election in which Jammeh emerged the winner was dismal in most communities (many I spoke with underscored the fear of sporadic fighting as being what kept voters at bay); a voter was seen quivering on his feet at Latrikunda where myself I voted from; and a voter enters the ballot and apprehensively didn’t put the marble through the ballot, instead placed it on the table – she was immediately called back to put the marble in the ballot box. This is rather an untoward depiction caused by fear.

IS THIS COUNTRY A HELL FOR JOURNALISTS?

Speaking to journalists few hours after casting his vote, president Jammeh made it clear to the news-starved-media that he will not ‘tolerate [the journalists] a less than one percent’ of the population to vandalise the ‘peace and tranquillity that exist’ in the country. This ‘less than one percent’ is a euphemism directed to journalists in the country; a threat often aimed at scaring us out of our IQ. In a similar target, president Jammeh allegorically referred to the media in the country when he called journalists ‘rats’, during an interview with his television, GRTS two years ago. This comment reignited the kernel of hostilities that exists between journalists and the seventeen-year-old regime, and further witnessed in-house media admonitions. For many years, Jammeh’s government has seen the media as an adversary to progress.

Is Gambia a hell for journalists? Conceivably, few tweets could provide a retort:

The media has been confronted with with obnoxious legislations such as the villainous National Media Commission Act, which is purposely designated by Jammeh’s regime to severe the wing of the Gambian media. There were also amendments made to the Criminalisation Code, which criminalises offenses in relations to freedom of expression.
The International Federation of Journalists in its publication on the media under attack in The Gambia since 1994, helped to provide some glimpses that may lead us to shaping an answer.

June 15, 2009:
Seven journalists were arrested and questioned by the NIA in relation to a statement the GPU [Gambia Press Union] issued, criticising President Jammeh utterances on murdered journalist, Deyda Hydara [who was killed in cool blooded shooting]. The seven, including the vice-president of the GPU, Sarata Jabbi Dibba were charged with seditious publication and defamation. Those arrested include; Bai Emil Touray and Pa Modou Faal, both executive members of the GPU; Ebrima Sawaneh and Pap Saine of The Point Newspaper and Sam Sarr and Abubacar Saidy Khan of the Foroyaa Newspaper [both private newspapers].

June 2009:
The Editor-in-Chief of TODAY Newspaper, Abdullhamid Adiamoh, and sub-editor Edward Carayol were arrested after an article in the paper’s Wednesday’s edition reported “that the country’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice Marie Saine-Firdaus and other senior government officials had been fired”. Mr Carayol was released on bail; while Mr Adiamoh remained under detention for three days. He was then charged for publishing false and broadcasting information [even though he recalled back circulations and wrote an apology letters to the said ministers and Jammeh] and subsequently sentence to a fine of US$ 2, 174 in default to serve one year in jail.

February 2009:
Mr Pap Saine, editor [and publisher] of the Point newspaper was rearrested on Monday, interrogated by the Serious Crime Unit of the Gambia Police Force about his nationality.

February 9, 2009:
Officials of the Gambia police force arrested Pap Saine, subjected him to several hours of interrogation and charged him with another offence of ‘false publication and broadcasting’ at the serious crime unit.

July 2008:
Abdullhamid Adiamoh, Editor-in-Chief [and publisher] of TODAY newspaper was arrested; charged and sentence to a fine of US$ 865 in default to serve six months in jail for his failure to pay income tax and sales tax.

March 2008:
Buya Jammeh a reporter working with the Daily Observer [pro-government newspaper] was sacked by the management of the Daily Observer few days after being elected as a co-opted member of the Gambia Press Union. Buya was cautioned by the managing director and Editor-in-Chief, Dida Halake to resign from his position from the GPU or quit Observer. Buya however decided to quit the Observer instead.

September 2007:
Assistant State House Press Secretary, Mam Sait Ceesay and state radio producer and presenter Malick Jones were arrested by the NIA and held at Mile 2 prison, and accused of spreading ‘false information’. They were eventually dismissed from their respective jobs, but Malick Jones was eventually reinstated at the radio.

March 28, 2007:
Fatou Jaw Manneh, a former reporter of the Daily Observer [now] residing in the US was arrested by the NIA upon arrival at the Banjul International Airport. She had come from the US to visit her family and to pay tribute to her father who had earlier passed away. She was charged with sedition, which followed her conviction and sentenced to a fine of US$ 10, 869 or to serve two-year jail term. Fatou Jaw Manneh

December 12, 2006:
Baron Eloign of the Daily Express, a privately owned newspaper was attacked and beaten. This followed the severe beating up of Abdougafar Olademinji, also of the same newspaper.

September 2006:
Dodou Sanneh, a reporter with the state-owned radio who was covering the [presidential] campaign of the UDP led coalition [the leading opposition party in the country] was recalled from his assignment and arrested when he reported for work, for what was termed as “favourable reporting for the opposition”. He was released on Monday 27 September, 2006 and sacked on the same day without reasons being given.

2006:
Njameh Bah, a [female] reporter with The Point newspaper was attacked in Bakoteh, about 18 km from the capital, Banjul and severely beaten by her attackers.

July 2006:
Ebrima B Manneh [Chief Manneh], a reporter with the Daily Observer was declared missing by his family. Manneh was last seen on July 7 by his colleagues. He is also believed to be in the hands of the NIA. Sulayman Makalo, another reporter with the [former] Independent newspaper is also declared missing.

May 2006:
A number of journalists and civilians were arrested and detained after being accused by the authorities of being the ‘informants’ of an online Gambian newspaper based in the US. This was highly refuted by [the] editor of the paper, who indicated that those, whose names were published by the Daily Observer in Banjul and arrested by the NIA, were just mere subscribers to the paper.

However, journalist Malick Mboob, a former reporter of the Daily Observer and Communication officer of the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital is still languishing in detention at the NIA headquarters. Musa Sheriff, a Liberian journalist [now the publisher of the ‘Voice Newspaper’] was also arrested in relation to the publication of the subscribers’ names on the pro-government newspaper [Observer] was severely tortured by the officials of the NIA whilst in detention. Omar Bah, former editor of the Daily Observer has been declared wanted by the [former] Inspector General of Police [now languishing in jail himself]. [Omar’s] whereabouts are not known. Alieu Ceesay explained to journalist Angela Brooks about the situation journalists are facing in Gambia.

April 10, 2006:
Lamin Fatty, a reporter with the Independent newspaper was arrested and detained at the headquarters of the NIA. Fatty spent almost two months in detention before he was finally charged for “false information”.

March 27/28, 2006:
Another crackdown on the Independent newspaper [took place]. Editor-in-Chief, Musa Saidykhan was arrested on March 27 by the security forces. The editor’s arrest [was] followed by the arrest of the entire staff of the company, including its newly appointed manager Madi Ceesay. Security officers also sealed off the paper’s office complex. After weeks in solitary confinement punctuated with systematic and physical torture, the duo who double as president and vice president of the GPU were released on bail twenty two days later.

December 16, 2004:
The Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of the Point newspaper, Deyda Hydara was brutally killed by three bullets at the wheel of his car just few meters away from the police depot. Hydara’s killing coincided with the 13th anniversary of the founding of The Point. The two other staff of the point who were inside Hydara’s car at the time of the incident – Nyansarang Jobe and Ida Jagne – also sustained serious injuries. Nyansarang was shot on the leg while Ida sustained severe bruises.

August 2004:
The house of the BBC Banjul correspondent, Ebrima Sillah, in Jambur – about 24 km from the capital Banjul – was attacked by arsonists. They forced open a sitting room window, poured some diesel fuel on the floor, and set it on fire. Sillah had to escape through a window, but everything in the house was burnt to ashes, including a laptop that was given to him by the BBC.

April 2004:
Six armed masked men put the printers of The Independent newspaper at gunpoint, poured diesel on the paper’s new printing machine and set it on fire. During the 3:00 am melee, some staff sustained severe injuries. The arsonists left behind a pistol, which was given to the police [for investigation purposes]. Two of the arsonists – corporal Sana Manjang and Sheriff Guissey (both soldiers of the National Guard) -- were named in parliament. The government still kept mute over the issue, as the suspects were neither arrested nor prosecuted.
Common Wealth SG visited Gambia to discuss among other things the freedom of expression


October 2003:
A group in a green pickup vehicle (that are normally used by government agents) without number plates paid an unauthorised visit to the office of the Independent Newspaper at midnight and attacked the watchman with an iron bar, sprayed him with tear gas, poured some diesel fuel on the electric metre and set it on fire.

Courtesy of the International Federation of Journalists, these instances could help gauge one’s response to the question I planted across, even though the list goes on to feed the reader.

In an attempt to pull the punches of journalists, Jammeh accepted to hold talk with journalists in a meeting held at the palace. When the principled-guided journalists insisted that they would roll with the punches, the forty-seven-year-old Jammeh in his retort saw no sign of giving up the crusade against them. What was expected to be a fruitful meeting aimed at resolving disparities between the cat and the mice turned out to be a quirk of fate.

Mr President we are not all that you are making of us. We are mere agents of change. Change from the present status quo: the threat to political socialisation; fragiled socio-economic development, and the silenced of the Press and the lack of freedom of expression. You have been pulling your socks up towards lifting the economic status of the average Gambia, but remember ‘Development without democracy is not sustainable, and democracy without development is meaningless;’ thus the two are fundamentally interrelated in nature.
The wind of change is blowing across the world; therefore, we want to see this change pull off by your seventeen-year-old government, before nature turns the wind towards the smiling coast of West Africa.

Pls note: this article does not include about numerous arrests made in the last 24 months.

MUSLIMS IN SWEDEN FILE COMPLAINS TO THE UN AGAINST AFROPHOBIA, ISLAMOPHOBIA

Swedish Muslims have filed complains to the United Nations for what they regard as Swedish government failure to combat discrimination, such as setting up an inquiry into the abuse of Somali migrants in the tiny town of Forserum.

"Forserum really showed what proportions Islamophobia as well as Afrophobia can take when an entire town looks on as people have their human rights violated," Kitimbwa Sabuni told The Local on Friday.

The report which was sent to the world body, UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), detailed complains and concerns from the Network of Swedish Muslims (Nätverket Svenska Muslimer i Samarbete), a cooperation of several different associations, in which representatives said Sweden was failing to tackle discrimination against Muslims.

The report estimated there are 350,000 Muslim Swedes, making it one of Sweden's biggest minorities.

The report has taken the Swedish government to task, asking it to make inquiry into how local authorities failed to help Somali migrants, some of whom were too afraid to let their children go to school after suffering verbal and physical abuse.

"Not everyone partook in the abuse, but many silently witnessed it and the authorities were passive," Sabuni said.

The report also urged research into prejudices that ethnic Swedes who convert to Islam face, in many cases from their own families.

”We’re talking not only about excommunication, but also threats and violence that many converts tell us about," Sabuni said.

One father, based in the US, reported his daughter to the FBI, which led to her being questioned by the Swedish intelligence service Säpo.

In another case cited in the report, a Swedish woman who became pregnant with her partner of Middle Eastern origin was beaten by her family.

"They told her they would 'rip the Arab out of her belly' among other threats," quoted Sabuni as saying.

"These are examples of honour crimes in ethnic Swedish families, even though the term 'honour crime' is usually reserved to people of non-Swedish origin."

The report went further to ask the Swedish government to probe the effects of Sweden anti-terror law, including the extended surveillance rights of the security agencies. It noted that out of 26 known arrests using the 2003 law change, all cases targeted Muslims.

Only two people were subsequently charged, according to Swedish media.

"As it is only Muslims who are detained on these flimsy grounds, the question of whether the terror law is a 'race law' must be asked," read the report, which also proposed a "Truth Commission" that would have the power to look into specific cases.

It also mentioned housing segregation as a problem that could in part be solved by allowing Islamic banking, which forbids interest rates, which could unlock flat and house ownership for many Swedish Muslims.

The report also addressed how Muslims were represented by the Swedish media, urging that greater attention be paid to how Swedish news channels report on matters pertaining to the minority community.

As an example, Sabuni referred to Sverges Television (SVT) debate programme Debatt on Thursday night featuring the topic "Repression of women among Muslims".

"What kind of headline is that? And it's on public service television," he said.

"As though women's lack of access to education and not being able to support themselves wasn't a problem in Sweden and other western European countries only 50 years ago, and that economic and social development weren't the keys, rather than religion, to their emancipation."

A further recommendation in the report was to foster a more diverse recruitment base for journalists working for the public broadcasting. It suggested that "Sveriges Television (SVT) remove the discriminatory ban on newscasters wearing headscarves."

Additionally, the report asked that the government gives funds to Muslim congregations to secure their safe operations. It also cited statistics that showed that per capita, Muslims receive less funding through community association funding than other groups.

The report concluded that Islamophobia had "been allowed to creep into the political mainstream," a comment that irked Integration Minister Erik Ullenhag.

"I think that's incorrect," he told Sveriges Radio (SR).

"The big difference between the Swedish government and say Denmark or the Netherlands is that we are crystal clear when it comes to distancing ourselves from racism and xenophobia."