A number of Arab states have sharply criticized right-wing extremists for the act of burning a Quran in Sweden, the Sky News Arabia television channel reported on Monday.
"We strongly condemn the burning of the Quran in Sweden. Such actions are only aimed at inciting hatred and promoting violence," it quoted the Bahraini MFA as saying.
The Saudi Arabian leadership noted that "supporters [of Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish right-wing extremist hardline party] are deliberately provoking Muslims and desecrating their holy symbols."
Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Haitham Abu al-Foul stressed that "these actions are contrary to freedom of religion and belief, and violate the principles of peaceful coexistence between peoples". He called on the international community to join forces to combat ideas of extremism and intolerance and prevent sectarian insults.
In turn, the Iraqi MFA summoned the Swedish Chargé d'Affaires ad interim in Baghdad and strongly protested the desecration of the Quran to the Swedish diplomat. Iraqi authorities stated that "this issue has serious consequences for relations between Sweden and the Arab-Muslim world."
Paludan's anti-Islamic actions
On Thursday, riots broke out in several Swedish cities after it became known that Paludan intends to hold anti-Islamic demonstrations there - a public burning of the Quran.
The Hard Course Party was founded by Paludan in 2017. He is known for numerous anti-Islamic videos on YouTube. The politician has publicly burned the Quran, calling it a tribute to free speech. His party demands a ban on Islam and the deportation from Denmark of all "non-Westerners granted asylum".
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS