BRUSSELS: The European Union joined several Muslim nations in condemning the latest incident of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.
The European Union has expressed its “strong rejection” of the Qur’an burning in Sweden, and called the act “offensive, and disrespectful and a clear act of provocation.”
“This act in no way reflects the opinions of the European Union… Manifestations of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance have no place in Europe,” a statement from the bloc said.
The group’s statement added that the Qur’an burning was made even more deplorable at a time when Muslims were celebrating Eid-ul-Azha.
“The EU continues to stand up for freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression, abroad and at home. Now is the time to stand together for mutual understanding and respect and to prevent any further escalation,” the EU said.
The bloc also noted that it was following developments in Iraq closely as thousands of protesters have converged in front of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad to demand an end to diplomatic ties with Stockholm.
— Sweden in Pakistan (@SwedeninPK) July 1, 2023
The Swedish government has also strongly condemned the “Islamophobic act committed by individuals in the country.
In a statement, Sweden’s ministry of foreign affairs said: “This act in no way reflects the opinions of the Swedish government.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson distanced himself from the act. “It is difficult to say what the consequences will be. I think there are many people who have reason to reflect,” Kristersson told a press conference.
“This is a serious security question. There’s no need to insult other people,” the right-wing head of government said. “I think that just because some things are legal, they are not necessarily appropriate.”
In an apparent reference to protesters breaching the Swedish embassy in Iraq, he said, “It is of course completely unacceptable to have people who unlawfully break into Swedish embassies in other countries.”
An Iraqi-origin man, who fled to Sweden several years ago, tore up and burned a copy of the holy book outside Stockholm’s central mosque on Wednesday. Police later charged the man with agitation against an ethnic or national group.
A series of demonstrations in Sweden against Islam has offended the Muslim world, including Turkey, whose foreign minister said it was unacceptable to allow anti-Islam protests in the name of freedom of expression.
