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In the weeks before this past Christmas, the Norwegian branch of IKEA unveiled a new commercial entitled “Sleep Well when You Can.” To the strains of “Bella Notte,” the lovely song from the old Disney film Lady and the Tramp, we saw people having trouble sleeping – a new father whose baby is crying, a pregnant woman with cravings, an older man who has to get up to urinate, a little girl who’s scared of the dark, a small child who’s starting nursery school.
It was a touching, low-key, family-friendly ad that took a soft-sell approach toward pushing an 11,000-kroner ($1000) bed that was mentioned only very briefly at the very end. In fact the whole thing was so sweetly done that, to my embarrassment, the first time I saw it I actually found myself tearing up.
Alas, IKEA hasn’t always been an estimable cultural player. In 2007, Aftenposten reported on the case of an Iranian refugee named Ibrahim Batmani who had worked at an IKEA in Norway for ten years. One day at lunch, he met a new colleague, a Muslim woman in hijab. When he put out his hand, she refused to shake it, saying that she was refusing on religious grounds. In reply, Batmani explained to her that Norway was a free country and that she therefore didn’t need to wear hijab; he also criticized Islam at some length. The result: he was officially upbraided by his superiors for having behaved in a “racist” fashion in his encounter with the woman.
Some time went by. One day Batmani brought up with his boss the subject of hijabs, which female IKEA employees were allowed to wear on the job. He disapproved of this policy, he said. Once again, he was accused of racism. This time he was fired.
Of course, the whole thing was ridiculous. Batmani himself was Iranian. And his statements about hijab and about Islam had nothing to do with race. When he took the case to court, IKEA was forced to acknowledge that nothing Batmani had said was racist. The judgment was in his favor, and he got his job back. But IKEA appealed the case.
Throughout the case, IKEA’s conduct was reprehensible. Instead of being impressed by a hard-working long-term employee who had fled from a tyrannical Islamic regime and who stood up for Western liberal values and against the Islamic tyranny that hijab represents, IKEA, in effect, sided with tyranny. In order to pacify devout Muslims, it appeased a woman wearing a garment that symbolizes subordination and punished a man for believing in freedom of speech and the rights of the individual.
In 2019, Hege Storhaug reported that the IKEA Norway catalog that came out at the start of that year’s Christmas season contained all of the usual Yuletide merchandise – only with new names. The catalog itself professed to be selling products connected not to Christmas but to something called Vinterfest (“Winter Party” or “Winter Celebration”).
The items included a fake poinsettia, which in Norwegian is called julestjerne (“Christmas star”), but which in the catalog was advertised as a kunstig potteplante, or “artificial potted plant.” Mulled wine (gløgg) was marketed under the name Vintersaga, or “Winter Saga.” The term julekrans (“Christmas wreath”) was shortened to krans (“wreath”). And a fake Christmas tree (juletre) was sold as an “artificial plant” (kunstig plante).
Plainly, the objective here was to avoid offending Muslims. No, this didn’t make much sense, given that devout Muslims weren’t going to be in the market for a Christmas tree or wreath, whatever name you might give it. But obviously IKEA wasn’t taking any chances. Needless to say, this is cowardice of the first order – giving in to pressure even before any pressure is applied.
Fast forward to last summer, and cross the border from Norway into Sweden, where the managers of the IKEA branch in Karlstad decided to recruit only foreign-born people for summer jobs. The local government employment service not only didn’t complain – it helped out. “The idea is that they want diversity at Ikea,” municipal consultant Iréne Mattsson told Samnytt. “That’s why we’re helping out.”
Samnytt spoke to a young Karlstad woman named Anna who mistakenly received a summer job offer from IKEA. She was thrilled – she’d been looking for a job all over the country – but her joy evaporated when she responded to the offer and was told that she’d been born in the wrong nation: Sweden.
And now, believe it or not, Ramadan is approaching yet again. It’ll be rolling around at the end of this month. And to celebrate this holy period of abstinence and prayer, the IKEA in Malmö, Sweden, posted an item on Instagram account announcing its new Ramadan collection:
Add something new to Ramadan and Eid this year!
The GOKVÄLLÅ collection helps you create a warm and welcoming atmosphere during Ramadan and Eid, making celebrations with family and friends even more festive.
Welcome to IKEA Malmö!
At this writing, the post had received about 4500 likes.
At IKEA’s English-language website, you can read more about GOKVÄLLÅ: “Whether you’re planning a festive meal with friends and family or just freshening up your home, the GOKVÄLLÅ collection can help you create the right atmosphere. It’s inspired by tile patterns from the Middle East that are mixed with modern elements to make both you and your home shine.” Further down the page you can read in detail about the items you can buy for that moment when it’s “Time to break the fast.”
It is interesting to note that while the word “Christmas” now seems to be verboten at IKEA, the words “Ramadan” and “Eid” are not.
Reporting on IKEA’s new venture, a periodical called the Bulletin noted a comment made on X by Nils Liittorin, leader of a local political party called Malmö List: “How can anyone claim that there is no Islamization of Sweden, and especially in Malmö?”
The story at Samnytt pointed out that the GOKVÂLLÅ collection “has been developed exclusively for Muslims.” It quoted one of the comments on the Instagram post: “It feels great to be seen and included. Muslims are a big market here, and it’s really a smart move.”
Is it? I’m reminded of the line from “Springtime for Hitler,” that ultimate example of gallows humor, sung in the voice of Mel Brooks: “Don’t be stupid, be a smarty / Come and join the Nazi Party.”
Can you not quit talking about Norway ? Being part Sámi myself I’m okay with Scandinavia, but what a bore they are, compared to other places. like, say, Tibet or Patagonia. I alwa.ys look for your articles. Thanks
I think he lives in Norway and I like his personalized insight. I first learned about the Islamic invasion of Europe from his books. At the time I read those, little did I know my niece who was born and raised in America would marry a Swede whom she met in college in Boston, t hen move to Stockholm and have two children. I was uneasy to say the least.
Don’t have much contact with her but when I do it’s all completely sanitized of any mention of the Islamic invasion and it seems like it doesn’t even exist. In fact their lives seem idyllic. T hey live in an upscale neighborhood of Stockholm. In the pre-school photos there are no hijabs and no middle-eastern kids. I can’t help but wonder what the future will be like for these blond-haired kids growing up in a fairy tale setting in Djursholm, Sweden. I think they are pretending that Sweden is still Swedish. My niece’s father, my brother, who is a smart MAGA oriented lawyer in Washington, D.C. also pretends nothing is amiss in Sweden. If I bring up anything not idyllic like a jihad massacre or bombings with him, he points out the horrors in American cities. Is this the Stockholm syndrome or just denial or, is the Islamization of Sweden and Scandinavian countries blown way out of proportion? Is it a matter of avoiding certain areas? I remember they did attend some entertainment event in Malmo. I was afraid for their life but nothing scary. Will they and their kids survive if they are in the upper class of Swedish society?
I would like to send the Religion of Peace back to where it came from and really Bring Peace to their Country
And take Justin Castreau with them. S/he/it/they/them is probably eunuchly suited to guard a harem.
Their day is coming in a place called ‘the lake of fire’.
Rev. 20:4……”And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”.
Who beheads people these days ?
Rev. Roy………….<
That “religion” was commissioned by the Caliph of Damascus after the Arab conquest of the Mediterranean, to provide a cultural underpinning of the new regime. The writer or writers cobbled together a doctrine with a supreme being that resembles an adolescent Arab tribal chief and used element of Gnostic Christianity, Samarian Judaism, and Ba’al worship to concoct doctrine. The “prophet” is a work of fiction. The holy book is only “faithful” in Arabic, and consequently the vast majority of its adherents cannot read it. The accompanying hadiths are fictional declarations from competing factions of the “faithful.” There will not be peace in those benighted lands, or any place Islam is found, until the truth reigns.
IKEA has been doing this for years now, calling Christmas a winter festival and for that reason I no longer buy anything from them.
Obviously Norway is no longer a free country.
Too bad since the Norwegian underground was integral to fighting the Nazis during WWII.
What the hell happened to the kick-ass Viking spirit?
For historical balance there was also the Norwegian Waffen-SS Legion, 1941–43.
I believe the founder of ikea was a nazi sympathiser.
You are correct he was.
For historical balance the Norwegian Waffen-SS Legion lasted for two years, 1941–43.
Viking influence lasted at least 400 years, so there’s that.
Musta got hold of a batch of lutefisk gone bad, and the toxins scrambled their brains.
It died out. Now their “spirit” is embodied by Greta Thunberg, Olaf Palme, Kåre Willoch, Jan Myrdal, and Mona Sahlin, who once appeared before an audience of “New Swedes” in a medieval Islamic shroud and gushed, “You’re lucky! You have a ‘culture’ and Swedes don’t”
It migrated to Scotland, where it succumbed to mediocrity.
I-Keall-you!
Flatpack decapitation chopping block with rusty hacksaw. Instruction sheet in Arabic, Pashtun, Farsi and Swedish
For Ramadamadingdong, IKEA could set up a satellite “Allahu’s Snackbar” serving the best fast breaking pulled pork in the muslim world. It’s mohammedelicious, and fit for a prophet. It’s to die for. And during Ramadamadingdong, it’s buy one get one.
There’s no better way for ANY ackbarbarian to break their holy fasts!!
Well done! I love “subtle humor” that also illustrates the seriousness of losing a Nation’s identity simply because of the fear of looking “racist”! I doubt there’s much humor in mohammaedland!
Ayatollah Khomeini is on record as saying that there is no humour in Islam – which figures, since humour requires a sense of proportion.
Best belly laugh I’ve had in a week!! Thanks, and bién fait.
Sadly, another retailer has gone way too far along with the country where it made its start. I will share this article with friends in the hopes they will share it with others. Eventually Ikea will either change its tune or fold, at least here in the states.
Perhaps, Norway needs to study the 10th Sultan Suleiman Kahn of the Ottoman Empire.
You Norway, are a land of kaffirs (non Muslims) and your country is yet another glorious opportunity for Allah to bring you under Islamic rule either by submission, dhimmitude or beheading.
You will do the hard work for them, denouncing your people, the country, your traditions and freedoms and the Islamists will cheer your benevolence to them as they entrench themselves in parasitic fashion to everything you value until it is all gone. Then, you will beg for your lives choosing any form of degradation to death and only silently dream about the country you willingly destroyed at the feet of evil.
The power brokers of the world aka Globalists – such as bankers,
industrialists, academicians, politicians, mega donors and honchos
of international corporations such as IKEA – meet every year at
the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. To
advance the implementation of a one-world digital tyranny. IOW,
the eradication of White Western civilization.
Just because the American people were able to avert this by the
election of Donald Trump doesn’t mean the Globalists will now
stop pursuing their goal – with the help of their Islamist freedom
wreckers. So, of course, the international IKEA is trying to wipe
away all vestiges of the most celebrated Western holiday, Christmas
and replace it with Muslim ones.
Globalists were responsible for the establishment of the European
Union and subsequent weakening of individual European nations.
Globalist leaders are responsible for the massive influx of Muslim
illegals overrunning European borders. IKEA is just another inter-
national globalist entity and part of it all.
Islamic Immigration Jihad is global in scope, deadly when implemented and expanding rapidly. We may see some kind of massive move middle of this year. I mean BIGLY. And UGLY . Not sure exactly how, but bet yer boots it’s coming. I believe that a well meaning and well intentioned President Trump has opened a Muslim Pandora’s Box and is unknowlingly forcing/propelling an Islamic response to his Gaza/Israel plans.
Nobody wants the Palestinians. NOOOOOBODY. Even though most have Egyptian names, Egypt doesn’t want them. Jordan is willing to go to war with Israel to keep them out. The Saudi’s can’t stand them either. But if Trump succeeds in spreading this ‘Palestinian Disease’ around to other nations, by coersion, subversion or any other means, I sense an Islamic explosion coming on a global scale.
Maranatha, come Lord Jesus…….<
Rev. Roy……..<
My great grandfather immigrated from Malmo in the 1880s. In 2001, my wife and our youngest son, 20 years of age at the time, were able to visit the city at Christmas time. It was fabulous! We visited small shops. One shop was selling handmade dress shoes for men. My son and I were awestruck by the quality (and the price). We were able to buy some HOKERI’ets Mints at a Karameller shop where the proprietress who made them was working behind the counter with her daughter, home from college for the holidays. They pointed out to us that the picture on the tin of mints was a 15-year old portrait of the two of them standing at the exact same counter where we were now making our purchase. The daughter was wearing a pink plaid dress and also had on a wide brimmed staw hat with a dark ribbon down the back. The ribbon was long, but not as long as the little girl’s cascade of straight blond hair. I still have the tin. The town flooded the open square near the shops with water and station wagons with primary school passengers pulled up close to the seasonal ice rink. Sitting in the cars with the doors open, they laughed and laced up their skates and and joined the gliding festivities.
To this day, I cannot explain the quiet joy I experienced or the connectedness I felt observing the culture of my heritage. This typical scene is, according to most reports, is no longer available to 4th generation tourists or anyone else. Sad, really sad. The religion of peace has destroyed the peace on earth good will toward men. Of course, the past cannot be retrieved. That does not mean we have to all take the route IKEA has chosen. Let us not submit to the civilizational lobotomy, blunt force cultural trauma has to be seen and recognized to be fought.
Agree 100%. Islam destroys everything it touches. We must fight to keep our Western Civilization alive! I’m an elderly woman, so I can’t take up arms to fight Islam physically, but I will talk to anyone who listens about the evils of Islam, the death cult.
A touching story. My mother, a war bride, was from Oxford, England. I’ve longed to visit there for years. I have cousins in London and Southampton I’d like to see before we all die off. Now that I’m retired and have the means I’ve given up on the idea. I’m sure things aren’t as bad as they seem but what I’ve been hearing about England and it’s “immigrant” issue the last few years has made me change my mind. I’ll just fantasize about how it must have been and leave it at that.
Believe it or not, this connects to an incident that happened in an Ikea to me and my young son years ago. We were stalked by a group of what looked to be Middle Eastern men. As soon as I noticed them following us and forming a circle around us every time we stopped to look at things, they noticed me noticing them. It was then that my mama bear instincts kicked in, and I decided to get us out of there as quickly as possible. I took his. hand firmly in my own and began to walk out, telling him we had to leave. I got no resistance. I really wanted to run. Sure enough, they followed us out, but we were a little bit ahead of them. We got almost to the rear exit, just as they reached the down escalator. Fortunately, a security guard was right there. They saw him, turned around on the downward going escalator and walked back up it, hurrying out of sight, probably to lie in wait for their next victims. I was more angry than scared, but, still, I was plenty scared., My anger helped me to keep my wits about me. The guard was talking to someone else, so we just left rather than wait and chance meeting up with those types again.
Perhaps there is a human trafficking link there?
One Swedish woman’s words stuck with me. She was crying. This was at the very beginning of the migrant invasion forced upon the West. She said, as she cried, “Someone has to take them out from here.”
She was terrified. Her face and words have haunted me ever since. I think they sum up the whole picture very well.
Gods judgement has now fallen on the west . this is what happens when you jettison christianity from the culture . it will be filled with islam the cult of death . it will not be rescinded unless repentance is forthcoming . look at it as a ninevah moment , refer to the O.T for clarification . time to get your house in order . the world is a dangerous place , all the more for the cult that is islam . 2 thirds of the worlds population will be annihilated during the 7 year tribulation of the book of revelation . study up and dont be one of them .
There is now an all-muzz town in Texas – TEXAS!! It’s called Epic and only muz can live there with all of the accoutrements of an occupying force.