The recent burning of the Quran in Sweden has received criticism from the European Union (EU), which has denounced it as offensive, disrespectful, and a provocative act. Nabila Massrali, the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, emphasized that manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and related forms of intolerance have no place in Europe.
In a statement issued on Saturday, she expressed solidarity with the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in strongly condemning the Quran burning, emphasizing that the act does not represent the views of the European Union.
Massrali further remarked that it is particularly regrettable that this act occurred during the significant Muslim celebration of Eid al-Adha.
The burning of the Quran in Sweden, justified by some as an exercise of freedom of expression, has also garnered widespread condemnation from the Muslim world. These actions risk undermining Stockholm’s efforts to obtain approval from Ankara to join NATO.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, during a news conference, acknowledged that the act was legally permissible under the country’s freedom of expression laws but emphasized that it was nonetheless inappropriate.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan voiced his condemnation of the protest, stating that it is unacceptable to allow anti-Islam demonstrations in the name of freedom of expression.
