Sweden under fire for allowing burning of Holy Quran

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The authorities in Stockholm gave the green card to the leader of the far-right Danish political party Stram Kurs, right-wing extremist Rasmus Paludan to burn a copy of the Holy Quran before the Turkish government in Stockholm, which prompted various countries to condemn this action.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström responded by saying the "Islamophobic provocations are appalling."

He clarified that his country had freedom of expression, "but it does not imply that the Swedish Government, or myself, support the opinions expressed."

Islamophobic provocations are appalling. Sweden has a far-reaching freedom of expression, but it does not imply that the Swedish Government, or myself, support the opinions expressed.

— Tobias Billström (@TobiasBillstrom) January 21, 2023

In light of the decision, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani strongly condemned the continuous violation of the sanctity of the Quran in European countries.

"Some European states, under the pretext of free speech and freedom of expression, are allowing extremist groups to spread hatred and discord," Kanaani said. He also said that the Europeans' claims of protecting human rights are allowing Islamophobia to embed itself in European societies.

"The continued violation of the sanctity of the holy book, which is followed by one and a half billion Muslims, is a true testament to spreading hatred and violence," the foreign ministry spokesperson said. "Public opinion in the Islamic World expects the Swedish government to not be lenient toward anyone showing hostility toward Islam."

Moral bankruptcy

The Yemeni Ansar Allah movement also strongly condemned Stockholm's decision, saying all the hostile actions against Islamic sanctities in the West were an indication that Western governments were "morally and politically bankrupt."

"All Muslims are involved in a decisive response to the hostile actions against their sanctities," Ansar Allah's political bureau said.

Hate crime against humanity

Turkey condemned the burning of the Holy Quran during a protest in Sweden, describing it as a "vile act", saying the Swedish government's decision to allow the protest to go ahead was "completely unacceptable".

"Permitting this anti-Islam act, which targets Muslims and insults our sacred values, under the guise of 'freedom of expression' is completely unacceptable," it said.

The planned rally was criticized by Turkish presidential spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin, who called it "a hate crime against humanity." The official said that the Swedish government had approved the move, which Ankara claims promotes "hate crimes and Islamophobia."

"Attacking sacred values is not freedom but modern barbarism," Kalin tweeted.

Moreover, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also criticized Stockholm, saying its actions did not fall within the framework of freedom of thought and expression.

Dangerous provocation

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah warned that this sort of conduct would incite Muslims all over the world and would make for a very dangerous provocation.

معالي وزير الخارجية الشيخ سالم عبدالله الجابر الصباح يدين ويستنكر قيام أحد المتطرفين بحرق نسخة من المصحف الشريف أمام مبنى سفارة الجمهورية التركية في العاصمة ستوكهولم.

التصريح كاملاً: https://t.co/14z3DH33ue pic.twitter.com/6jxeTax1aX

— وزارة الخارجية (@MOFAKuwait) January 21, 2023

Inciting violence

Jordan's Foreign Ministry underlined its rejection of such acts that "incite hatred and violence and pose a threat to peaceful coexistence."

"Proliferating and bolstering the culture of peace and acceptance, as well as spreading awareness about values of respect and forgiveness, and rejecting extremism and the incitement of hatred is a collective responsibility that everyone must fulfill.

دانت #وزارة_الخارجية_وشؤون_المغتربين إحراق نسخة من المصحف الشريف، اليوم، في العاصمة السويدية ستوكهولم، مؤكدةً رفض وإدانة المملكة لهذا الفعل الذي يؤجج الكراهية والعنف، و يهدد التعايش السلمي. pic.twitter.com/ppS8y0jjyq

— وزارة الخارجية وشؤون المغتربين الأردنية (@ForeignMinistry) January 21, 2023

The event occurs at a critical time in the bilateral ties between Turkey and Sweden two countries, especially since Stockholm is looking for Ankara's endorsement of its NATO membership applications.

Following the outbreak of the Ukraine war, Sweden and Finland both submitted applications to join NATO last year. However, their bids for accession require the unanimous approval of all 30 NATO member states to be considered. Turkey is one of the two remaining countries to have not approved the applications, and they're trying to draw as many concessions as possible from the Scandinavian countries in exchange for approval on their ascension into NATO.

Turkey refusal to back Stockholm's accession has sparked a wave of anti-Turkish, anti-Muslim hate in Sweden, and the rally in question is the culmination of this debacle.