Burning of Quran in Sweden Sparks Outrage in Muslim World As Morocco Recalls Ambassador

Patrick OdeyJune 30, 2023

1 minute read

Morocco has recalled its ambassador and diplomatic officer to Sweden in protest of a Quran burning incident that took place outside Stockholm’s main mosque on Wednesday.

The North African country denounced the act as “offensive and irresponsible” and expressed its rejection of any attack on Islam.

The Quran burning was carried out by a man named Salwan Momika, who claimed to be an Iraqi refugee and a defender of free speech.

He tore up and set fire to a copy of the Muslim holy book under police protection as Muslims were celebrating the Eid al-Adha festival.

The incident sparked outrage and condemnation from several countries, especially in the Middle East. Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iraq, and Kuwait were among the governments that issued strong statements against the provocative act.

Turkey also blocked Sweden’s NATO membership bid over what it perceives as Stockholm’s failure to crack down on Kurdish groups it considers “terrorists”.

Sweden’s police had granted permission for the protest, citing freedom of expression and the lack of security risks.

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However, they later said they regretted the decision and that they would investigate whether the Quran burning constituted a hate crime.

Morocco’s foreign ministry said it summoned Sweden’s chargé d’affaires in Rabat and expressed its “strong condemnation of this attack and its rejection of this unacceptable act”. It also recalled its ambassador to Sweden for an indefinite period, according to state media.

Morocco is known for its moderate and tolerant version of Islam and its close ties with European countries. It is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which condemned the Quran burning as a “heinous act” that violated human dignity and religious sanctity.