Quran burning permitted in Sweden, sparking debate on free speech

Swedish authorities have once again approved a controversial Quran burning event, this time in the city of Jönköping, in southern Sweden.

The decision comes ahead of the planned demonstration this weekend, Caliber.Az reports per Swedish media.

Marie Wiberg, the acting chief of police in Jönköping, assured the public that all necessary precautions would be taken to maintain security during the event.

"We are assessing all risks and allocating resources to ensure security. Then, freedom of speech will be securely protected. If something happens at the scene that can be regarded as an offence, we will of course draw up a report," she explained.

The permit for the demonstration was granted after a private individual submitted an application for the event. The decision to allow the Quran burning has sparked debate in Sweden, where issues of freedom of expression and religious sensitivities often intersect. Despite the potential for public unrest, the Swedish authorities have emphasized their commitment to safeguarding constitutional rights while ensuring public order.

In the summer of 2023, Sweden raised its terrorist threat level to four out of five following statements from terrorist organizations, including the Islamic State and al-Qaeda, which designated Sweden as a "priority target" after a series of Quran burnings. One of the key figures involved in the desecration, 38-year-old Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika, was killed this January in his apartment during a live broadcast on TikTok. The perpetrators of the crime have yet to be identified.

By Vafa Guliyeva