Sweden approves Qur'an desecration during Eid

Authorities from a number of countries – including many Muslim-majority nations – have condemned the desecration of the Qur’an by a man in Sweden.

Qur’an Burning Before Mosque

Salwan Momika was reportedly the only person who partook in the demonstration. Media outlets say he strutted across the scene, behind rows of police, outside the Stockholm Central Mosque. He was seen waving two Swedish flags, blasting the national anthem over a speaker system.

Equipped with white AirPods in his ears, and a cigarette hanging from his mouth, he repeatedly desecrated the Qur’an by stomping on it, tearing it up and setting several pages alight.

The 37-year-old reportedly received the go-ahead from Swedish police for the protest: in line with free-speech protections. Following the incident, the authorities have opened an investigation into the man over ‘agitation’.

The ‘heinous’ act comes as billions of Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid-ul-Adha: one of the most significant days in the Islamic calendar.

Muslim Nations Respond in Anger

Turkey has condemned the decision by Swedish authorities to approve the Qur’an burning. The demonstration outside a mosque in Stockholm might jeopardise Sweden’s bid to join NATO before the block’s summit in July.

The US has also condemned the burning. A state department official reportedly said Washington believes the act created an “environment of fear”. Something that would affect Muslims, and people of other religious minorities, to exercise their religious freedom.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry slammed the act calling it “hateful” and cannot “be accepted with any justification”. They added that it incites “hatred, exclusion and racism”.

In a very foolish decision, a Swedish court allowed to burn copy of Quran outside a masjid on the day of Muslim Eid, in a new provocation & insult to Muslims. A step for which Sweden should be held accountable & at the very least,Turkey insists on preventing it from joining NATO. pic.twitter.com/kYSKjdnpT2
— د.عـبدالله العـمـادي (@Abdulla_Alamadi) June 28, 2023

In response to the incident, Morocco withdrew its ambassador from Sweden. They also summoned Sweden’s charge d’affaires in Rabat and expressed their condemnation of the attack.

Iran joined the condemnation. They describes the act as “provocative, ill-considered and unacceptable”. “The government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran…do not tolerate such an insult,” said Nasser Kanani, the foreign ministry spokesperson.

Sweden Certain of NATO status

Despite the ongoing opposition from Turkey, Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson stands firm that Sweden will join NATO.

“We’ve also said that we respect that it is Turkey that makes Turkish decisions and it is good we now have another meeting,” he said in an interview with SVT. “Maybe we can address the odd question mark ahead of the Vilnius summit in that kind of conversation,” Kristersson said.

Regarding the Qur’an burning on Wednesday, Kristersson said he would not speculate about how it would impact Sweden’s NATO chances. “It’s legal but not appropriate,” he said.