Sweden’s Capital Witnesses Desecration of Holy Quran, Sparking International Condemnation
Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, was the stage for a shocking act of desecration against the Holy Quran, which has drawn widespread condemnation from the European Union (EU), the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC), and various Muslim organizations.
On the first day of Eid ul Adha, Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old Iraqi citizen residing in Sweden, deliberately stomped on and set fire to several pages of the holy book in front of the largest mosque in Stockholm. Although he had obtained a permit from the Swedish police under the protection of free speech laws, authorities have now initiated an investigation into the incident for “agitation.”
The Swedish government swiftly responded, strongly condemning the “Islamophobic act” and distancing themselves from the individual’s actions. In a statement, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs made it clear that the act did not reflect the opinions of the government.
The EU, through spokesperson Nabila Massrali, voiced its support for the Swedish government’s rejection of the Quran burning. Massrali emphasized that burning any holy book is offensive, disrespectful, and a clear act of provocation. The Union reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of religion, belief, and expression both within Europe and abroad, while condemning manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance.
The UNAOC’s High Representative, Miguel Moratinos, also condemned the “vile act” and expressed his respect for the importance of freedom of expression. However, he stressed that the desecration of sacred books, places of worship, and religious symbols was unacceptable and had the potential to incite violence. Moratinos emphasized the need for mutual respect to foster inclusive and peaceful societies based on human rights and dignity for all.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) issued a press release, strongly condemning the recurring desecration of the Holy Quran and Islamic values. The OIC highlighted the commitment of all states to promote and respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, regardless of race, color, religion, or political opinions. In response to the Quran burning in Sweden, the OIC announced an emergency open meeting of the Executive Committee in Jeddah to discuss measures and collectively address this heinous act.
Pakistan also expressed strong condemnation of the incident, calling it a “despicable act.” The Foreign Office released a statement reaffirming the obligation of all states to prevent and prohibit religious hatred that incites violence. Pakistan raised concerns about the increasing incidents of Islamophobia and urged the international community and national governments to take concrete actions to combat xenophobia and anti-Muslim hatred.
Key Points
- Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, experiences the desecration of the Holy Quran, leading to widespread condemnation from international organizations and Muslim communities.
- The Swedish government swiftly condemns the act, emphasizing that it does not reflect the opinions of the government and reiterating its commitment to religious freedom.
- The European Union, the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations, and various Muslim organizations denounce the Quran burning, stressing the importance of mutual respect, freedom of expression, and the prevention of religious hatred.
Published in PakWeb, July 02, 2023.
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