Turkey condemns Koran burning in Stockholm
Right-wing extremist Rasmus Paludan burns a copy of the Koran in Stockholm
Source: via REUTERS
For months, Sweden has been arguing with Turkey about NATO membership. In the midst of the diplomatic dispute, a right-wing extremist burned the Koran at a demonstration in Stockholm. Ankara is outraged.
BDuring an anti-Turkish demonstration in the Swedish capital of Stockholm, a participant burned a copy of the Koran. This intensified the already tense relations between the two countries. The head of the far-right Danish party Harte Linie, Rasmus Paludan, who also has Swedish citizenship, set fire to the Koran near the Turkish embassy on Saturday. The Foreign Ministry in Ankara immediately declared that it condemned in the strongest possible terms the “disgusting attack on our holy book”. Sweden must take action against the perpetrator and the international community must take a stand against Islamophobia. Other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait, also condemned the burning of the Koran.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom spoke of “appalling” Islamophobic provocations. Sweden has a wide range of freedom of expression. “But this does not mean that the Swedish government or I myself support the opinions expressed,” he wrote on Twitter.
Turkey had previously canceled a visit by Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson scheduled for late January, citing Paludan’s approval of the rally as the reason. In Ankara, Jonson wanted to speak about Sweden’s application for NATO membership after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Turkey, which is a member of the alliance, has been blocking accession for months.
The politician Paludan had already burned the Koran during demonstrations in the past. In the registration for his rally, which had been approved by the authorities, he stated that his protest was directed against Islam and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s attempt to influence freedom of expression in Sweden.
Turkey said the burning was an Islamophobic act directed against Muslims “and insulting our sacred values.” Allowing such a protest under the guise of freedom of expression is completely unacceptable. Saudi Arabia called for “spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance and coexistence”. Hatred and extremism would be rejected.
Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. For this to happen, all 30 members of the alliance would have to agree. However, Turkey has set conditions for this, including the resumption of arms deliveries. Finland and Sweden have signed an agreement with Turkey to overcome Ankara’s objections. Sweden recently said it had done its part, but Turkey is demanding more – including the extradition of 130 people whom Turkey believes are terrorists.
Presidential elections are coming up in Turkey soon, in which Erdogan, who has ruled for many years, is running again. Some of his potential opponents are ahead of Erdogan in terms of approval ratings.
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