ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An Iraqi refugee set fire to the Islamic holy book of Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm on Wednesday, coinciding with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, in an act slammed by Turkey whose support Sweden needs in its NATO bid.
Salwan Momika, who fled Iraq to Sweden several years ago, said he would burn the holy book as a means of expressing his opinion about the book.
Swedish police granted him with a permit for the protest, adding that the possible risks linked to it were "were not of a nature that could justify, under current laws, a decision to reject the request,” AFP cited the statement as saying.
"This is democracy. It is in danger if they tell us we can't do this," Momika told Swedish news agency TT prior to carrying out the act.
Videos on social media showed Momika stepping on the book, throwing it around, then raising the Swedish flag and stomping on it again before setting fire to several pages. Reporters present at the scene also reported that he had placed bacon between the pages. The consumption of pork is forbidden in Islam.
The footage also showed him and a co-protester shouting through a megaphone as they were cordoned off by police from opponents in the crowd shouting in Arabic at them.
The protest also garnered heavy criticism on social media, with most users calling it a deliberate act of provocation given that it coincided with the first day of the celebration of Eid al-Adha.
Turkish Foreign Minsiter Hakan Fidan condemned the “despicable” act on Twitter.
“It is unacceptable to allow these actions under the pretext of freedom of expression,” he said.
By providing permission for the Quran burning to be carried out, Sweden is expected to face further opposition from Turkey in its bid to join NATO.
A series of demonstrations, also involving the burning of the Muslim book or for Kurdish rights, have sparked condemnation from Ankara whose support Sweden needs to join the military alliance.
Sweden and Turkey are set to meet on July 6 in Brussels, with NATO members pushing for Stockholm’s accession before the summit in Lithuania several days later.
Swedish police have recently rejected applications for demonstrations against the Quran but these have been overruled by courts, saying the decision violated freedom of speech.
