Reactions to burning of Holy Quran in Sweden continue

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Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has condemned as "deeply disrespectful" the weekend burning of a Quran in Stockholm, which has raised tensions with Turkey as the Nordic country seeks Ankara's ratification of its NATO bid.

Far-right politician Rasmus Paludan set fire to a copy of the Muslim holy book on Saturday in front of Turkey's embassy in the Swedish capital.

Furious that Paludan had been permitted by Swedish police to carry out his provocative act, Ankara canceled a visit by Sweden's Defence minister and summoned Stockholm's ambassador.

Late on Saturday, Kristersson tweeted: "Freedom of expression is a fundamental part of democracy. But what is legal is not necessarily appropriate. Burning books that are holy to many is a deeply disrespectful act."

"I want to express my sympathy for all Muslims who are offended by what has happened in Stockholm today," he added.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental part of democracy. But what is legal is not necessarily appropriate. Burning books that are holy to many is a deeply disrespectful act. I want to express my sympathy for all Muslims who are offended by what has happened in Stockholm today.

— SwedishPM (@SwedishPM) January 21, 2023

Paludan's provocative act has further damaged relations as Stockholm tries to convince NATO member Turkey to approve Sweden and Finland joining the military alliance.

Sweden's bid has been stalled amid Ankara's demands that Stockholm hands over Kurdish activists and prevents rallies attacking Turkey's leadership.

Earlier, Hezbollah strongly condemned in a statement the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden, deeming the action a criminal act and a "heinous offense that we can’t keep silent over."

"This move comes as part of an offensive series that is aimed against Islam and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), as well as against all Muslim references, figures, and sanctities," Hezbollah's Media Relations Office considered.

The Lebanese Resistance party held the Swedish government "fully responsible for this heinous act and we ask it to immediately punish the perpetrators and prevent the repetition of such a crime."

Hezbollah called on Muslim governments, references, and bodies to condemn the act and to "work to form a worldwide public opinion in a bid to prevent such dangerous violations in the future."

Several Muslim countries and organizations said they were outraged by the burning of the Quran on Saturday.

Morocco said it was "astonished" that the authorities had allowed it to take place "in front of the Swedish forces of order."

Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates also condemned it, as did the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Jakarta said "the act of blasphemy against the holy book has hurt and tarnished religious tolerance," adding that "freedom of expression must be exercised in a responsible manner."

Dozens of protesters gathered late Saturday in front of the Swedish consulate in Istanbul, where they burned a Swedish flag and called on Turkey to sever diplomatic ties with Sweden.

Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, the largest religious institution in Egypt, also condemned the burning of the Quran.

In a statement on Saturday, Al-Azhar urged international institutions and world leaders to stand up against any acts that violate religious sanctity.

Al-Azhar stressed the need to open an urgent investigation into the recurrence of these incidents, which are no less dangerous than the consequences of terrorist attacks.

It also called for refraining from using "freedom of expression" as an excuse to allow such actions.

On his part, Hissein Brahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation warned that "this provocative action which has been committed repeatedly by far-right extremists targets Muslims, insults their sacred values, and serves as further example of the alarming level reached by Islamophobia, hate, intolerance, and xenophobia."

Read more: Sweden's NATO bid facing dead end due to repeated rows with Turkey