Swedish PM Brands Burning of Holy Quran ‘Destructive’

The burning of the Quran by anti-Islam activists is a destructive act that undermines Sweden’s national security, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Thursday.

Writing on Facebook, Kristersson urged the public to understand that the situation is “very serious.”

“The most recent destructive events – in particular, different demonstrative burning incidents – have increased risks for Sweden,” he wrote.

The Swedish prime minister said that according to an assessment by the Swedish police, “we have gone from being what is called a legitimate target for terrorist attack to a priority target.”

Sweden is also in danger of becoming “a pawn in the games played by outside powers,” he warned.

On Wednesday, the head of communication at Sweden’s Psychological Defense Agency, Mikael Ostlund, accused Russia of using the Quran-burning incidents in its “disinformation campaign… to split us in the West and also to create an increased anxiety and polarization here in Sweden.” He claimed Moscow’s goal was “to make it more difficult for Sweden to join NATO.”

Last week, a Sweden-based Iraqi refugee, identified as Salwan Momika, burned Muslims’ holy book for the second time in few weeks. He committed the sacrilegious act first in front of Stockholm’s biggest mosque in late June, and for the second time outside the Iraqi embassy in the Swedish capital on July 20, amid strict protection provided by the Swedish police.

The desecration of Quran has opened the floodgates of protests across the Muslim world, with all Muslim countries issuing vehement condemnations of the heinous act.

Source: Agencies