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Swedish Police Detain Woman for Using Fire Extinguisher Against Quran-Burning Protester
(CTN News) – In a recent incident outside the Iranian Embassy in Stockholm, Swedish police apprehended a woman who used a fire extinguisher to disrupt an anti-Islam activist’s Quran-burning protest.
The protester, Salwan Momika, a refugee from Iraq, has been conducting a series of demonstrations involving Quran desecration, sparking controversy and anger in Muslim countries. The woman’s actions were captured on video as she sprayed a white powder toward Momika, only to be intercepted by plainclothes police officers.
Momika’s demonstrations have been a subject of debate, with Swedish police allowing them under the premise of freedom of speech, while simultaneously filing preliminary hate speech charges against him. Authorities are investigating whether his actions fall within Sweden’s hate speech law, which prohibits inciting hatred based on race, religion, or sexual orientation.
The Quran-burning protests have triggered backlash globally, including angry demonstrations in Muslim nations, attacks on Swedish diplomatic missions, and threats. In response to the heightened tensions, Sweden has elevated its terrorism alert level, considering itself a priority target for armed groups.
Despite the threats and controversy, Momika remains resolute in asserting his freedom of speech rights. However, Muslim leaders in Sweden have called on the government to take measures to halt the Quran burnings.
While the country dropped blasphemy laws in the 1970s and has no plans to reintroduce them, an inquiry has been launched to explore legal avenues for authorities to reject permits for demonstrations that pose national security concerns.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer stated that the inquiry will examine similar legislation in countries like France, Norway, and the Netherlands, balancing extensive freedom of speech with incorporating security considerations.
REAL STORY: Thousands of Muslims Express Outrage Over Quran Desecration in Sweden
Thousands of people took to the streets in several Muslim-majority countries on Friday to express their outrage over the desecration of a copy of the Quran in Sweden. The incident had sparked protests, leading to the storming of the Swedish Embassy in Iraq the previous day.
Peaceful Protests Across Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran:
Protesters in Iraq, Lebanon, and Iran held peaceful demonstrations following their weekly prayers, denouncing the disrespectful act against their holy text. Unlike the chaotic scenes in Baghdad, where the Swedish Embassy was occupied and a small fire was set, the subsequent protests remained controlled.
Muslims Condemn Quran Desecration:
For Muslims, any form of desecration of the Quran is considered deeply appalling and offensive. Outraged by the incident in Sweden, demonstrators in Baghdad’s Sadr City and Beirut’s southern suburbs, as well as in Tehran and other Iranian cities, gathered with Qurans in hand, calling for justice.
Leaders’ Responses and Diplomatic Tensions:
Several Muslim-majority countries condemned the Quran’s desecration and summoned Swedish diplomats to express their grievances. In response to the incident, Iraq cut diplomatic ties with Sweden, and the Iraqi prime minister ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador and the withdrawal of the Iraqi charge d’affaires from Sweden.
Swedish Position on Freedom of Speech:
Sweden, which upholds the right to hold public demonstrations under its constitution, faced criticism for permitting the initial protest where the Quran was disrespected. The country had abandoned blasphemy laws in the 1970s, relying on police discretion to ensure public gatherings do not cause major disruptions or safety risks.
Global Impact and Calls for Action:
The incident in Sweden triggered protests in Muslim-majority nations and led to diplomatic tensions. Calls for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to address the issue and demands for Sweden to take a stronger stance against the individual responsible for the desecration have intensified.
Sweden’s Response and Imam’s Frustration:
The Swedish Foreign Ministry labeled the embassy storming as “completely unacceptable,” expressing displeasure to the Iraqi charge d’affaires. However, within the Swedish Muslim community, there is growing frustration that such incidents can occur without stronger preventive measures.
Imam Mahmoud Khalfi from the Stockholm mosque, where the previous Quran burning occurred, voiced his disappointment in Swedish authorities’ lack of understanding and action. He called for a balanced approach that respects freedom of speech while safeguarding religious sentiments, citing Finland’s continued existence of blasphemy laws.
