Sweden Engages in Heated Debate Over Enacting Law to Prevent Quran Burning
Sweden Considers Changes to Law to Stop Burning of the Quran
The recent incidents of burning the Quran in Sweden have sparked concerns about the country’s internal security. In response, the Swedish government is considering changes to the law to prevent such acts from happening again.
The debate was ignited when the Quran was burned in front of a mosque in Stockholm on the first day of Eid al-Adha, a significant Muslim holiday. Minister Strömmer, who expressed his worries regarding Sweden’s safety, emphasized that the burning of the Quran jeopardizes the country’s security.
Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt also voiced his support for banning the burning of the Quran in Sweden. Both political figures believe that the recent incidents have damaged the security of Sweden and warrant a change in legislation.
In the Easter events of 2022, Rasmus Paludan continued to provoke by burning the Holy Quran in multiple cities, including Malmö, Norköpin, Jönköping, and Stockholm. These actions led to clashes between demonstrators, who demanded Paludan to be stopped, and the police. Numerous injuries were reported, with both the authorities and the protesters experiencing casualties.
The burning of the Quran has not only raised concerns within Sweden but also garnered international attention. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey strongly condemned the vile attack, labeling it a hate crime. He expressed his disappointment with the lack of action taken by Western countries in response to such incidents.
The Arab Parliamentary Union criticized Sweden for allowing these actions, deeming them provocative to Muslims worldwide. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary General Casim Mohammed al-Budeyvi also denounced the burning of the Quran and urged the Swedish government to take measures to prevent future occurrences.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif called for serious measures to be taken against the incident and emphasized the prevalence of Islamophobia in Sweden. Additionally, Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Emir Abdullahiyan announced the suspension of sending a new ambassador to Sweden in response to the burning of the Quran.
Morocco has taken the decision to withdraw its ambassador from Sweden, denouncing the act as offensive and irresponsible. Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed concern, stating that religious feelings are not respected in some countries. Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the burning of the Quran and called for collective measures to prevent such acts in the future.
The European Union (EU) issued a statement describing the burning of the Quran as offensive, disrespectful, and provocative. Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholics and the Head of the Vatican State, expressed his anger and disgust towards these actions.
As the discussions continue, Sweden faces pressure to address the issue and take necessary measures to ensure the safety and respect for religious symbols within its borders. The burning of the Quran has ignited a global conversation on religious tolerance and the need for collective action to prevent such acts of provocation.
