The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) will do something Sweden might regret if it won’t change its laws about the spread of hate, according to a Saudi geopolitical analyst. In the past few weeks, headlines cover Quran desecration in Sweden, generating condemnation from different Muslim countries worldwide.
Quran Desecration in Sweden Sparks Uproar in Other Muslim Countries
For Muslims, Quran desecration is disrespectful, including its intentional damaging of copies. Before touching Islam’s holy scripture, one must perform a ritual washing, known as wudu.
The desecration of the Quran in Sweden triggered anger and protests from other Muslim countries around the world. On June 28th, 37-year-old Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika ripped out pages of the Quran and set it on fire outside the Stockholm Mosque in Sweden.
Momika did the same thing on July 20th when once again desecrated the holy book in Stockholm. His impertinent action spurred attacks aggressions and protests, including arson against Baghdad’s Swedish Embassy. The incident prompted Iraq to cut all diplomatic ties and affiliations with Sweden.
Additionally, far-right Danish leader, Rasmus Paludan, burnt a copy of the Quran in Stockholm in front of the Turkish Embassy.
To express their anger, Iranians and Iraqi protesters burned the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. On Sunday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that people who dishonour the Quran must face the harshest punishment.
“The Swedish government should know that by supporting the criminal who burnt the Holy Quran it has gone into battle-array for war on the Muslim world. They have created feelings of hatred & animosity toward them in all the Muslim nations & many of their governments,” Khamenei tweeted.
Sweden Put Its Ties At Risk With Muslim Countries
The law of the Swedish government regarding its spread of hate can culminate in consequences, especially with its ties to other Muslim countries. A large population of Sweden is Lutheran but it doesn’t mean it should tolerate other people to disrespect other religions, let alone burning their respective holy scriptures.
On Sunday, the OIC disseminated about the Danske Patrioter’s desecration of the Quran. Also known as Danish Patriots, they burned Islam’s holy book, on Friday, outside the Iraqi Embassy in Copenhagen. This occurrence is the most recent in a succession of incidents in Denmark and Sweden, inciting a diplomatic storm. The conundrum now jeopardises the Nordic states’ relations with the Muslim realm.
“If the Swedish government and its legal system don’t rectify their laws with regards to allowing extremists and radicals to spread hate, then I won’t be surprised if there will be a unanimous decision to take measures by the OIC,” said Salman Al-Ansari, a Saudi geopolitical analyst.
He added that torching the copy of any holy book no matter if it’s the Bible, the Torah, the Quran, or any sacred book is displeasing and unacceptable. Besides, he perceives it as an action of extreme hatred, alleging Swedish officials of insincerity.
Muslim leaders and governments from Muslim countries condemned such acts, which the Swedish government allowed, citing them as freedom of expression.
Image Credit: Al Jazeera English/WikimediaCommons
