United States Condemns Al-Quran Burning Action By Iraqis In Sweden During Eid Al-Adha 2023

JAKARTA - The United States on Wednesday said that burning the holy book was an act of "less teaching" after the burning of the Al Quran in Sweden on the first day of Eid al-Adha 2023 celebration.

"We've been saying over and over that burning the holy book is rude and painful, and what might be legal doesn't mean it's appropriate," said US Department of State Deputy spokesmanVedant Patel when answering questions about the provocation.

"So I will let the Swedish government and local law enforcement speak in particular or more particularly about this incident widely, we continue to encourage Hungary and Turkey to ratify Sweden's (to NATO) joining protocol without delays, so we can welcome Sweden into the alliance as soon as possible," he was quoted as saying by Antara.

Previously, an Iraqi, Salwan Momika burned the holy book of Muslims in front of a mosque in Stockholm, on the first day of Islamic religious celebrations, known as the Sacrifice Celebration.

The incident took place in front of the Medborgarplatsen Stockholm Mosque, where Momika first threw the Koran on the ground before burning it and insulting Islam.

On June 12, the Swedish appeals court upheld a lower court ruling to lift the ban on the burning of the Quran, deciding that the police had no legal basis to prevent the two acts of burning the Al Quran that took place earlier this year.

In February, police refused permission for the burning of two Qurans, citing security, after far-right politician Rasmus Paludan burned the Al Quran in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm in January.

After that, the two people who attempted to carry out provocative actions in front of the Iraqi and Turkish embassies in Stockholm appealed the decision.

In April, the Stockholm Administrative Court overturned the lower court ruling and stated that security risks were insufficient to limit demonstrations.