Strömmer, who made a statement to Aftonbladet newspaper about the debate that started with the burning of the Qur’an in front of a mosque on the first day of Eid al-Adha in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, said that the events of burning the Qur’an put Sweden’s safety in danger and that Therefore, he stated that the government was discussing a change in the law to stop the burning of the Holy Quran.
Stating that the burning of the Holy Quran in front of a mosque in Stockholm on the first day of the Eid al-Adha poses threats to Sweden’s internal security, Stömmer said, “As the government, the Qur’an has been destroyed because the recent incidents of Quran burning have damaged the security of Sweden. “We are discussing a change in the law to stop the burning of monuments or other holy books,” he said.
Former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt also argued that the burning of the Qur’an should be banned in Sweden.
Evaluating Minister Strömmer’s statements to the Dagens Nyheter newspaper, Billdt said, “I support the investigation initiated by Strömmer to prevent the burning of the Qur’an.”
Easter events
Rasmus Paludan continued his provocations of burning the Holy Quran in Sweden’s Malmö, Norköpin, Jönköping and the capital Stockholm during the Easter holiday in 2022.
The demonstrators, who wanted Paludan to be stopped, also attacked the police with stones by burning tires on the roads. 104 police officers and 14 demonstrators were injured in the incidents, and 20 police vehicles were destroyed by burning.
Paludan burned the Quran in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.
In the capital of Sweden, Stockholm on January 21, Paludan burned the Quran in front of the Stockholm Embassy of Turkey. No one was allowed to come near Paludan during the action, which was held under the protection of the crowded police.
The Qur’an was burned in front of the mosque on the first day of Eid al-Adha.
In Stockholm, a person of Iraqi origin named Salwan Momika burned the Quran under police protection in front of the Stockholm Mosque on the first day of Eid al-Adha on 28 June.
Reactions to the burning of the Qur’an
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reacted harshly to the vile attack on the Qur’an in Sweden and said, “The cowardly attack has angered us all,” Erdogan said. It is a new manifestation. This is a hate crime. The West is not taking any steps in this regard.” had used the words.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, said, “We condemn once again the vile attack on the Quran in Stockholm and the condonation of this attack despite our warnings.”
The Arab Parliamentary Union issued a statement condemning Sweden’s permission to take action, stating that the action was “provocative” for the world’s Muslims.
Casim Mohammed al-Budeyvi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), made a statement condemning the action. The statement called on the Swedish government to prevent such actions, which drew the reaction of Muslims all over the world.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif demanded that serious measures be taken against the incident of disrespecting the Holy Quran in Sweden. Sharif emphasized that Muslims in Sweden face anti-Muslim (Islamophobia) and hatred, and demanded an investigation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Emir Abdullahiyan announced that the task of sending a new ambassador to Sweden was suspended in response to the burning of the Qur’an in Sweden.
Morocco has decided to withdraw its ambassador from Sweden. “This offensive and irresponsible act while celebrating one of the holiest days in the Muslim calendar is unacceptable,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also reacted to the attack. During his visit to the city of Derbent, Putin, who was given the Quran as a gift, said, “It is sacred not only for Muslims, but for everyone. Religious feelings are not respected in other countries; this is not considered a crime. But it is a crime in us.” Putin said that Russia will always abide by these legal rules.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the burning of the Holy Quran in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, and called for “to take collective measures” to prevent such provocative acts from happening again.
The European Union (EU) declared that “burning the Qur’an or any holy book is an offensive, disrespectful and open act of provocation”.
Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the Catholics and the head of the Vatican State, reacted to the burning of the Holy Quran in front of a mosque in Stockholm, saying, “I am angry; I am disgusted by such actions.”