After being granted permission by the Swedish police to carry out his act, an individual named Aman set fire to a Quran outside Stockholm's main mosque on Wednesday, a controversial action that could anger Turkey as Sweden seeks NATO membership. Subsequently, charges were filed against the individual for inciting hatred against a national or ethnic group.
Turkish Outrage: Sweden's Actions Threaten NATO Membership Bid
Sweden's series of protests against Islam and support for Kurdish rights have sparked outrage in Ankara, a country whose support is crucial for Sweden's NATO aspirations. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemned the incident in a tweet, criticizing the allowance of anti-Islamic demonstrations under the pretext of free speech.
U.S. State Department Condemns Disrespectful Quran Burning
During a daily briefing, the deputy spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department expressed disapproval, stating that burning religious texts is disrespectful and hurtful. Vedant Patel emphasized that while such actions might be legal, they are not necessarily appropriate.
Protests and Arrests: Unfolding Events Surrounding the Quran Burning
In response to the burning, some individuals present shouted "God is Great" in Arabic. One person was apprehended by the police for attempting to throw a rock. As the Quran started to burn, a protester exclaimed, "Let it burn!" The Prime Minister acknowledged that the act was legal but deemed it inappropriate, suggesting that it should be up to the police to decide whether Quran burnings should be allowed.
Mosque Director Expresses Discontent with Police's Decision on Eid al-Adha
The director and imam of the mosque, Mahmoud Khalfi, expressed the mosque's dissatisfaction with the police's decision to permit the protest on the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. The mosque in Stockholm typically attracts up to 10,000 attendees for the annual Eid celebrations.