Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, has urgently requested Sweden to take decisive measures in putting an end to the distressing incidents of Koran burnings. The call took place on Sunday when Fidan communicated with his Swedish counterpart, Tobias Billstrom, expressing vehement disapproval of such “vile actions” being carried out under the pretext of freedom of expression.
The rising wave of protests in Sweden and Denmark over the past few weeks witnessed the damaging and burning of copies of the sacred Koran, further exacerbating the situation. One particularly alarming event occurred when an agitated mob stormed Sweden’s embassy in Baghdad, setting it ablaze in response to these actions.
Deeply perturbed by these incidents, Fidan conveyed Turkey’s concerns, emphasizing the immense pain and anger felt among the Muslim community. He urged Sweden to take immediate and tangible steps to prevent the recurrence of such hurtful episodes in the future. One of the proposed steps is the amendment of Sweden’s Public Order Act, granting the police authority to intervene and disperse demonstrations that pose a threat to public security.
While the Swedish government acknowledges the need to address the issue, it also remains committed to upholding freedom of expression within its legal framework. This delicate matter of Koran burnings carries the potential to strain relations between Turkey and Sweden, especially given their ongoing negotiations regarding Sweden’s application for NATO membership. Turkey has consistently demanded that Sweden address its terrorism-related concerns before approving the membership application.
