Widespread condemnation after Quran burning in Sweden continues
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More nations condemn the Islamophobic act of burning the Holy Quran in Sweden.
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Man burns protested outside Stockholm's main mosque burns Holy Quran. (AFP)
Iraqi demonstrators broke into the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday to protest the burning of the Holy Quran, according to an AFP photographer.
According to the photographer, demonstrators raided the building and remained inside for around 15 minutes before leaving quietly as security personnel were deployed.
The protests come amid calls for the removal of the Swedish Ambassador, echoing outrage in several Muslim countries over the burning of the Quran on Wednesday in Stockholm.
The Iraqi Foreign Ministry, on its part, said such acts would only "inflame" the feelings of Muslims around the world.
Later, Iraqi religious cleric Sayyed Ali Sistani condemned the desecration and said the same disgraceful act of attacking the Holy Quran occurred more than once in different countries.
Sayyed Sistani added that this time, the attack took place after an official license from the Swedish police, under the pretext of respecting freedom of expression
"Respect for freedom of expression does not justify licensing such a shameful act, which represents an assault on the sanctities of more than two billion Muslims," according to the top Iraqi cleric.
On his part, the head of the Iraqi Fatah Alliance, Hadi Al-Amiri urged the Iraqi government to seriously reconsider its relations with Sweden.
According to him, the Swedish authorities' repeated licenses for such acts of hatred and provocation have become a method and a clear indication of a systematic attack on Muslims.
Kurdish PM condemns burning of the Quran
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Iraqi Kurdistan region condemned the Islamophobic act on Thursday. "I condemn burning the holy Quran," Prime Minister Barzani said in a tweet, calling for respecting all the holy books and preventing the disruption of coexistence.
سەرکۆنەی سووتاندنی قورئانی پیرۆز دەکەم. داواکارم هەموو کتێبە ئاسمانییە پیرۆزەکان رێزلێگیراوبن لە هەموو شوێنێک و رێگە بگیرێت لە تێکدانی پێکەوەژیان.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) June 29, 2023
Read next: Widespread condemnation after Quran burning in Sweden
Iran: Under no excuse is this acceptable
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, commenting on the attack, said under no excuse is allowing insults to religious sanctities and the Holy Quran by Sweden acceptable, adding that "enlisting such behaviors under the title of freedom or democracy will only encourage terrorism and extremism and will have repercussions on the West."
Lebanon highlights aims to sedition
Mufti of the Lebanese Republic Sheikh Abd Al-Latif Darian said the actions of some haters of Islam reveal malicious intentions to foment sedition.
Jordan summons the Swedish Ambassador
The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates summoned the Swedish Ambassador in Amman on Thursday to express Jordan's strong opposition to the Swedish government's decision to allow extremists to burn a copy of the Quran.
The Ministry strongly denounced the burning of the Quran in a statement, calling it a racist act motivated by dangerous hatred. According to Al-Mamlaka TV, the Ministry called it an expression of incitement to violence and an insult to religion.
It further advocated for religious symbols to be respected, the promotion of a culture of peace and acceptance, and enhanced knowledge of mutual respect ideals.
UAE, KSA condemn burning of the Quran
The UAE summoned Sweden's Ambassador to protest the burning of a copy of the Quran in Stockholm, according to a statement by the UAE Foreign Ministry.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry, on its part, issued a statement denouncing the act outside a mosque in Stockholm.
Read next: Turkish FM condemns acts of Quran desecration in Sweden
Turkey condemns burning of the Quran
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced Sweden for allowing the burning of the Holy Quran, further clouding the Nordic nation's chances of quickly joining NATO.
"We will eventually teach the arrogant Westerners that insulting Muslims is not freedom of thought," Erdogan said during televised remarks.
"We will show our reaction in the strongest possible terms until a determined victory against terrorist organizations and Islamophobia is achieved."
Erdogan's tough statements came only one week before senior officials from Turkey and Sweden are expected to meet in Brussels to discuss Stockholm's NATO membership application.
