Muslim-majority nations expressed strong condemnation and outrage on Friday regarding the desecration of a copy of the Quran in Sweden. Outraged citizens in countries like Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon prepared for street demonstrations after midday prayers to show their anger. The incident took place when an Iraqi individual of Christian origin, who now identifies as an atheist, kicked and stood on a Quran outside the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm. To express their anger, protesters in Baghdad broke into the Swedish Embassy and lit a fire. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani responded by ordering the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador from Iraq and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge d’affaires from Sweden. However, this action may not be enough to calm those who are angered, as another protest is planned in Baghdad. It is important to note that Sweden allows public demonstrations as part of its constitution, and blasphemy laws were discarded in the 1970s. The police generally grant permission for public gatherings as long as they are deemed safe and will not cause disruptions. Burning or abusing the Quran is considered offensive to Muslims, as it is their religion’s holy text. While Prime Minister Sudani maintains his decision to sever diplomatic ties with Sweden, he called on Iraqi protesters to maintain peaceful demonstrations and for security forces to protect public and private property. In connection with the storming of the Swedish embassy, some 20 people, including journalists from Associated Press and Reuters, were arrested and later released without charges. Iran has summoned the Swedish ambassador and plans to hold demonstrations as well, holding the Swedish government responsible for the provocation reactions from Muslims. The desecration incident also involved disrespectful actions towards Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran and Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Lebanese militant group Hezbollah called for a demonstration, with Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah urging Muslims to demand that their governments expel Sweden’s ambassadors. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey’s Foreign Ministry have also expressed condemnation of the Quran desecration. In Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident and called on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to express the sentiments of Muslims and stop the demonization. It is worth noting that this is the second Quran desecration incident involving the Iraqi Christian in Sweden. Previous Quran burnings have sparked protests across the Muslim world, with some turning violent.
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