Pope Francis expressed strong condemnation of the recent Quran burning incident in Sweden, stating that he was “angry and disgusted” by the desecration of the Muslim holy book. In an interview published on Monday in the United Arab Emirates newspaper Al Ittihad, Pope emphasized the importance of respecting any book considered holy in order to show respect to those who believe in it.
The Quran burning took place on Wednesday, coinciding with the celebration of Eid al-Adha for many Muslims. A man in Stockholm tore up and burned a Quran outside a mosque, sparking widespread condemnation. The governments of Turkey and Saudi Arabia were among those who strongly criticized the offensive act.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), consisting of 57 member states, called for collective measures and the application of international law to combat religious hatred. In a statement, the OIC emphasized the need to remind the international community about the prohibition of advocating religious hatred under international law.
Saudi Arabia took further action by summoning Sweden’s ambassador to express its concerns. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the country urged Sweden to cease actions that contradict international efforts aimed at promoting tolerance, moderation, and the rejection of extremism, while emphasizing the importance of mutual respect between nations.
The incident has also sparked debates within Sweden. While Swedish police had granted permission for a protest, the individual responsible for the Quran burning was charged with agitation against an ethnic or national group. The Swedish government, as well as the United States, condemned the act, which resulted in significant protests in Baghdad.
Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and called for reflection on Sweden’s identity, emphasizing the need to avoid insulting others. Recent court decisions in Sweden have overruled police rejections of anti-Quran demonstration applications, citing the infringement on freedom of speech.
However, in his interview, Pope Francis rejected the notion that freedom of speech should be used as a means to despise others. He firmly stated that allowing such behavior should be condemned and rejected. The pope’s remarks echo his belief that respect for one another’s beliefs and religious texts should take precedence over the misuse of free speech.
Instances of anti-Muslim protests in Sweden have occurred in the past. In January of the same year, Turkey suspended talks regarding Sweden’s NATO membership application after a Danish far-right politician burned a copy of the Quran near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm.
