Tension has increased in the region after permission was given to burn the Quran in Malmo city of Sweden. Stockholm's relations with other Muslim countries are already strained due to previous incidents of Quran burning. The latest approval in Malmö comes as Eurovision week events get underway in the city.
Fear Increased
Authorities in Sweden have once again allowed the program of burning the Quran, the holy book of Muslims, after which the fear of uproar has increased. Malmo police in southern Sweden have issued a permit for a controversial protest to be held at the city's Gustavs Adolfs Torg square on Friday, according to Turkey's state news agency Anadolu.The Quran burning event has been approved at a time when the Swedish city of Malmo is hosting the Eurovision Week song contest event.
Per Youngstrom, commanding officer of the police during Eurovision week, admitted that the challenge would increase after this decision. According to Swedish media, the organizers of the demonstration have a history of holding such events. Apart from this, another application has been received from the police on Saturday for permission to burn Quran, due to which tension has increased in the area.There have already been incidents of Quran burning in Sweden, which has strained Stockholm's relations with several Muslim countries. In June 2023, the burning of the Quran by a person named Salwan Momika was condemned all over the world. Members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) had appealed for economic sanctions against countries including Sweden and Denmark that allow the burning and desecration of the Quran.
Sweden is considering bringing a law
In the Scandinavian countries Sweden and Denmark, such demonstrations are recognised as freedom of expression, but have resulted in vigorous protests and threats to diplomatic missions in Muslim-majority countries. After this, Denmark approved a law last December, which banned the burning of copies of the Quran in public places.Sweden is also considering legal options that would give police the power to crack down on such protests on the grounds of national security concerns.
Israel issued advisory
Security has been increased due to Israel's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Meanwhile, Israel has issued a travel advisory stating the threat to Israelis and Jews in Malmo. Israel's latest warning said Malmö is known as an anti-Israel city, referring to the city's population of Arab immigrants.