We Assyrians are living in a time when our people are facing significant challenges, both in our homeland and in the diaspora.
In our historic homelands, the Assyrian presence continues to dwindle. Communities that were once characterized by a rich cultural and social life are gradually being depopulated. Families are leaving their homes, and the struggle to preserve language, culture, and history becomes increasingly difficult with each generation.
At the same time, hundreds of thousands of Assyrians live all over the world. In Sweden, we have freedom, democratic rights, educational opportunities, and economic conditions that our parents and grandparents could only dream of.
Yet one uncomfortable question remains:
Why are we so quiet?
We generally estimate that Assyrians in Sweden make up about one percent of the population. If that is correct, we are by no means an insignificant group. On the contrary, there are enough of us to influence elections, raise issues in public debate, and exert significant political influence.
Yet we often get lost in the noise.
We include business owners, academics, lawyers, doctors, teachers, civil servants, and entrepreneurs. We have built successful lives through hard work and sacrifice. We have strong networks, education, and resources. Many other groups with significantly fewer members have managed to have a greater political impact than we have.
The problem is not a lack of expertise. The problem is that expertise is all too rarely transformed into organized political power.
As Sweden heads into an election, various groups are mobilizing to advance their interests. They identify key issues, build networks, train young leaders, and work toward long-term goals to influence political decisions. They understand that democracy isn’t just about voting every four years. Democracy is about being present where decisions are made.
But where is the Assyrian mobilization?
Where is the discussion about how we can strengthen our representation in municipalities, regions, and the Riksdag? Where are the strategies for bringing forward more young politicians, more opinion leaders, and more decision-makers from our community?
Moreover, these issues are more relevant now than they have been in a very long time. Political winds are blowing in Sweden that directly affect many minority groups. Mother-tongue education is being called into question more and more often. Cultural grants and support for civil society are under discussion and at risk of being cut. At the same time, there is a growing debate about assimilation rather than integration, in which people are expected to adapt to mainstream society to a greater extent than before.
Regardless of our political affiliation, this should give us pause.
If the opportunities to pass on our language to the next generation are limited, if our cultural institutions face greater difficulties in carrying out their work, and if the conditions for preserving our heritage are changing, why then are our voices not heard more clearly in the public debate?
Why don't we use the democratic tools at our disposal?
All too often, we settle for discussing these issues around the dinner table, at club meetings, or on social media. We express frustration and concern, but frustration is not the same as having a say.
Democracy does not reward silence.
Influence is built through organization, participation, and perseverance. No group can make an impact by waiting for someone else to speak on its behalf.
Our parents and grandparents came to Sweden hoping for security and a better future. They worked long hours, built businesses, educated their children, and created opportunities that previous generations lacked. They made enormous sacrifices to give us a stronger position in society.
The question now is whether we are prepared to preserve that legacy.
It’s not about everyone voting for the same party or sharing the same political views. On the contrary. A democratic society should accommodate different opinions. But we must understand the value of being represented in the places where decisions are made.
Because when we don't participate, we leave it up to others to define our issues, our needs, and our future.
If we truly make up about one percent of Sweden’s population, we should be a much stronger voice in the public debate than we are today. We should see more Assyrian local politicians, more members of the Riksdag, more experts, more opinion columnists, and more community builders shaping the Sweden of tomorrow.
There are enough of us to make a difference.
Well-established enough to be heard.
And free enough to take action.
That is why the most important question is not whether we have the ability to influence things.
The most important question is why we don't make better use of this political tool than we do today.
Because if we don’t take responsibility for our influence, who will do it for us?
And if not now, then when?
