Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Western diplomats: There is a possibility that the US administration will sign an interim agreement or understanding with Iran.
Hamas: We affirm that we are making great efforts to stop the barbaric war on the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We reached an agreement with Witkoff that includes the flow of aid and a professional committee taking over the management of the Gaza Strip's affairs immediately after the deal is announced.
Hamas: The agreement with Witkoff includes the release of 10 Israeli prisoners and bodies in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas: We agreed with Witkoff on a general framework that would achieve a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of the occupation from Gaza.
Hamas: We have agreed to the framework of Witkoff's proposal and are awaiting the final response.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Incident escalated to point where UNIFIL soldiers drew their weapons before Army intervened to calm matters down.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Altercation breaks out between people of Yater in South and UNIFIL forces after latter entered town without an accompanying Lebanese Army patrol.
Israeli media: Israeli Air Force launch strikes on Yemen's Sanaa Airport.
Israeli media: Preliminary reports of Israeli attack on Sanaa Airport.

Sweden under fire for allowing burning of Holy Quran

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 21 Jan 2023 22:05
  • 6 Shares
4 Min Read

Countries from all over the world band together to condemn Sweden for allowing protestors to burn the Holy Quran.

  • x
  • Sweden under fire for allowing burning of Holy Quran
    Danish far-right leader Rasmus Paludan

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.

Related News

Russia to present peace memorandum at June 2 Istanbul talks

CNBC unveils strategic plan to revitalize Syria energy sector with US

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.

  • Turkey
  • Nato
  • Sweden
  • Kuwait
  • Jordan
  • Iran

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, answers a question about his House Bill 3-C: Independent Special Districts in the House of Representatives April 20, 2022, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida (AP/Phil Sears)

GOP lawmaker says Gaza needs same end as WWII Japan, with nukes

  • MENA
  • 23 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
Iran advisor reveals details of US-Iran nuclear talks to Al Mayadeen

Iran advisor reveals details of US-Iran nuclear talks: Al Mayadeen

  • MENA
  • 24 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Israeli forces operate in a buffer zone in southern Lebanon as seen from northern occupied Palestine, Tuesday, February 18, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli troops breach Lebanese territory, enter country's south

Chief of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Gen. Hossein Salami speaks in a ceremony commemorating late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and several other officials, in Tehran, Iran, Thursday, May 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IRGC commander warns Iran would 'open gates of hell' on 'Israel'

(Iran Foreign Ministry)
Politics

Iran denies reported enrichment freeze, reaffirms nuclear policy

President Donald Trump, right, listens as White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, left, speaks during a swearing in ceremony for interim U.S. Attorney General for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, Wednesday, May 28, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Trump warns Netanyahu on Iran talks, pushes Gaza ceasefire plan

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS