The anti-Turkey demonstrations and Sweden’s bid to join NATO that took place in Stockholm were marred by copy burning Al-Qur’an. The action increased Sweden’s tensions with Turkey which needed Ankara’s support to enter into a military alliance.
“We condemn in the strongest terms this heinous attack on our holy book…Permitting this anti-Islamic act, which targets Muslims and insults our sacred values, under the guise of freedom of expression is completely unacceptable,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said. ReutersSunday (22/1/2023).
His remarks were issued by Turkey after a far-right anti-immigrant politician burned a copy of the Koran near the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry urged Sweden to take necessary action against the perpetrators and invited all countries to take concrete steps against Islamophobia.
Separate protests took place in the city supporting Kurds and against Sweden’s bid to join NATO. A group of pro-Turkish demonstrators also held a rally outside the embassy. All three events have a police permit.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said that the provocation of Islamophobia was appalling. “Sweden has broad freedom of expression, but that doesn’t mean that the Swedish Government, or myself, support the opinions expressed,” Billstrom said on Twitter.
The burning of the Koran was carried out by Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish right-wing political party Hardline. Paludan, who is also of Swedish nationality, has held several demonstrations in the past, where he burned Korans.
Paludan could not be reached by e-mail or email for comment. In the pass he obtained from the police, it said his protest was against Islam and what Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called attempts to influence freedom of expression in Sweden.
Several Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait have condemned the burning of the Koran. “Saudi Arabia calls for spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence, and rejecting hatred and extremism,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Also watch video: Turkey Cancels Swedish Minister’s Visit Due to Al-Quran Burning Action
