The world reacts to Quran desecration, Swedish envoys summoned
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It all started with Salwan Momika, an Iraqi immigrant, who was granted permission by Swedish police to stage a Quran-burning protest outside the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm.
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A man carrying the holy Quran during a protest (AP)
The desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden sparked widespread outrage and condemnation across the country and beyond. The recent incident, seen as a grave disrespect to the religious sentiments of millions of Muslims around the world, triggered protests and calls for swift action. Countries from across the globe united in expressing their strong disapproval, emphasizing the importance of religious tolerance and mutual respect in a diverse society.
Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned Sweden's Ambassador to Tehran to express a strong protest against the desecration of the holy Quran. The incident involved anti-Islam protesters, including an Iraqi immigrant to Sweden, who had obtained permission from Swedish police to burn the Quran outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm.
Turkey also condemned the act, referring to it as a "despicable attack" on the Quran in front of Iraq's embassy in Stockholm, urging Sweden to take decisive measures to prevent such hate crimes against the Muslim Holy Book.
In the same context, Saudi Arabia announced that it would summon a Swedish diplomat to express its denunciation of permits issued for protests that desecrate the Quran. The Saudi Foreign Ministry stated that it would deliver a protest note to the Swedish authorities, urging them to take immediate and necessary measures to halt these offensive acts.
Concurrently, Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced that it had summoned Swedish Ambassador Gautam Bhattacharyya to deliver a note of protest regarding the repeated desecration of the Quran in Sweden. The Ministry expressed strong dissatisfaction and condemnation over the continuous attacks on the Quran and Islam in Sweden, urging the Swedish authorities to take necessary measures to stop these offensive practices.
Qatar stated that permitting such actions under the pretext of freedom of expression fosters hatred and violence and threatens peaceful coexistence while revealing double standards.
On its part, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling on Sweden to take measures to put an end to whatever could deepen feelings of hatred and Islamophobia and desecrate religions.
"Sweden once again allowing the desecration of the Holy Quran constitutes a continuous violation of Muslims' sentiments and dignity," it warned.
The recent incident involved Salwan Momika, an Iraqi immigrant, who was granted permission by Swedish police to stage a Quran-burning protest in front of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm. However, Momika once again desecrated the Quran without burning it.
A similar protest occurred in June during Eid Al-Adha, which led to outrage in Muslim countries. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson acknowledged that while the authorization was lawful, it was considered inappropriate. In the past, Swedish authorities had issued permits for other acts of burning the Quran, further fueling the controversy.
