Quran desecration in Norway draws condemnations across world

NORWAY: A protest against Islam organized by the far-right group ‘Stop Islamization of Norway’ (SIAN) took a violent turn after the group’s leader Lars Thorsen tried to burn a copy of the Holy Quran, leading to a brawl between the leader and the counter-protesters.

According to media news, the incident took place on Saturday in the Norwegian city of Kristiansand. The anti-Islam rally organized by (SIAN) was allowed by the local authorities. But the police warned against desecration of the Holy Quran, after the group expressed its intent to do so.

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In a video that has surfaced online, Thorsen is seen flicking the book aside, when a man approaches him aggressively, grabs him and tries to kick him. It is when the police intervened to stop the brawl.

Police is reported to have arrested Thorsen, along with the attackers. Meanwhile, Pakistan, Turkey and several other Muslim states condemned the incident and said Muslims respect other religions and people of other religions should respect the feelings of Muslims.

Muslim leaders in Norway, on Monday, said that they would file hate crime charges against SIAN.

In another video, the leader of the far-right Stop the Islamization of Norway (SION) group, Arne Tumyr, is seen throwing two holy Qurans in the trash after police intervened.

In a written statement, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry called on Norwegian authorities to stop anti-Muslim and xenophobic attacks, adding that Pakistan is “expecting those responsible to be brought to justice as soon as possible.”

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“We are deeply concerned about the rise of discrimination against Muslims and Islamophobia and the increasing mosque attacks in Western European countries. The fact that anti-Islam attacks and xenophobia are becoming ever more alarming has become an issue that needs to be resolved immediately,” the ministry said.

“Such attacks not only target Muslims but also pose a threat to all humanity,” it added.

In June, the far-right SION group insulted Muslims, saying that “Islam has no place in the country” and Throwing the holy book on the ground, demonstrators protested against Islam, claiming it should be banned in Drammen.