Alternative for Immigrants (AfI) congratulates 19-year-old scientist Dani Zuhair on his historic achievement and influential speech at the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar (SIYSS) during Nobel Week 2025. Dani, a young Iraqi-Swedish scientist, is the first Swede in history to win the prestigious European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS).

His presence as a speaker at the Nobel Banquet, a celebration of knowledge and international cooperation, stood in stark contrast to the absence of the Sweden Democrats, who publicly rejected the invitation.

Dani Zuhair’s victory is not just a personal success; it is a victory for Swedish society and a living testament to the power of integration and open opportunity. While the Sweden Democrats reject the very table where Sweden’s brightest minds are celebrated, AfI recognizes that young people like Dani are the essential force driving our country’s future in science, technology, and innovation.

The Contrast: Contribution vs. Rejection

Dani Zuhair’s research on skyrmions at KTH Royal Institute of Technology is fundamental to developing the next generation of energy-efficient computing. His story of curiosity, supported by his family and the Swedish school system, embodies AfI’s vision of an empowered, integrated Sweden.

Sweden Democrats refusal to attend, accompanied by their stated disregard and disrespect for the Nobel tradition, represents a clear choice to ignore the contributions of a dynamic, diverse Swedish society.

When the Sweden Democrats reject the Nobel Banquet, they are effectively rejecting the values of global collaboration and human equality that Dani Zuhair represents. They missed the chance to hear a message of hope and curiosity that should inspire every Swedish child, regardless of their background.

AfI’s Call to Action

The Tidö government’s current path, influenced by far-right policies, creates a toxic environment that risks driving talented families to leave Sweden, resulting in brain drain and a devastating loss of human capital.

AfI urges all Swedish citizens to consider the cost of this political rhetoric. We must ask ourselves: How many future Nobel speakers are we losing due to policies that prioritize exclusion over excellence? AfI is running for the Swedish Election 2026 and the EU Election 2029 to ensure that Sweden remains a country where every individual, regardless of origin, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute at the highest level. We stand for Dani Zuhair’s Sweden, a Sweden that celebrates talent, diversity, and an open future.