Controversial Gathering Authorized in Sweden: Quran Burning Planned at Iraqi Embassy

The Swedish police have granted authorization for a small gathering outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm, where the organizer intends to burn a copy of the Quran along with the Iraqi flag. This development was reported by local media and confirmed by the police on Wednesday.

As per the permission granted and reviewed by AFP, two individuals are scheduled to assemble on Thursday between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM local time (1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, French time) in front of the embassy.

Freedom of Assembly The organizer has expressed his intention to burn a copy of the sacred book of Muslims during the gathering. According to the TT news agency, the same individual had previously organized a Quran burning event in front of a mosque in Stockholm in June. The police emphasized that the authorization was not granted for the explicit purpose of burning religious texts but rather for a public assembly, protected under the constitutional right of freedom of assembly. It should be noted that the approval does not constitute an endorsement of the actions taking place during the gathering, as emphasized by a police spokesperson.

This is not the first incident of Quran burning in Sweden. In January, a Swedish-Danish activist named Rasmus Paludan conducted a similar act to protest Sweden’s potential accession to NATO and the negotiations with Turkey regarding its entry into the alliance.

On June 28, the same individual, an Iraqi refugee residing in Sweden, conducted another Quran burning event, this time outside the largest mosque in Stockholm during the observance of Eid al-Adha, a significant celebration for Muslims worldwide. Both incidents sparked condemnation within the Muslim community.

The Swedish government has previously denounced these actions as “insulting” and “Islamophobic.” However, the country’s legislation remains more liberal compared to others. The police can still refuse a demonstration if it poses a threat to the kingdom’s security or incites racial hatred.