A woman ignited a copy of the Quran during a police-approved protest near Stockholm, Sweden, generating widespread outrage in the Muslim world. The incident occurred on a beach and was organized by Bahrami Marjan, an Iranian immigrant. Approximately 20 people, mostly journalists, attended the demonstration, according to Russian news outlet TASS.
In video footage captured by Ruptly, Marjan can be seen setting fire to the holy book, defacing it with a pen, and gradually burning its pages. The police intervened when a small group of counter-protesters objected to the display, but the situation remained calm. Marjan, a Christian convert from Islam, explained to TASS that she wanted to emphasize the intersection of religion and politics, asserting that Islam is not a democratic religion. When asked about the potential security consequences of such actions, she disagreed that they would harm Sweden’s security situation.
This demonstration mirrors similar incidents that have taken place in Stockholm during the summer. In June and July, three separate police-authorized actions saw activists burning or desecrating Qurans, two of which occurred outside the Iraqi Embassy. These events triggered public outcry in the Muslim world, resulting in protesters storming Sweden’s diplomatic compound in Baghdad. The Iraqi government responded by expelling Stockholm’s envoy and recalling its own representative. Additionally, countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan condemned the Quran burnings.
Swedish officials have clarified that the protests are not formally approved by the government. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson explained that local police only issue permits for public gatherings, regardless of their political content. Kristersson went further to attribute the strong reaction to the Quran burnings to a Russian disinformation campaign, purporting that Moscow is spreading false claims that Sweden endorses the desecration of various scriptures.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has condemned the attacks on the Quran as hate crimes that would not be tolerated in Russia. Russian Members of Parliament issued a joint statement asserting that such actions have nothing to do with freedom of speech and religion.
This latest incident has prompted Sweden to increase security measures. While the government maintains that it does not endorse these protests, authorities recognize the need to protect citizens and prevent any potential violent responses.
The Quran burnings in Sweden have ignited a global controversy, with people divided on the issue of freedom of speech versus respect for religious beliefs. As tensions continue to escalate, both Sweden and the international community must navigate this sensitive topic with diplomacy and respect for diverse perspectives.
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