Swedish police 'riot' warning as Quran burning protest to go ahead by mosque

28 June 2023 , 09:47

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A woman holds a Quran during protests against a right-wing attack in Sweden last year (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Police in Sweden have approved a protest which would involve demonstrators burning copies of the holy Quran.

An activist submitted an application to burn Islam's most-sacred text in front of the Medborgarplatsen mosque in Stockholm at 1.30pm.

Police spokesperson Julia Maric said that though there is a ban on fires in place, the man's constitutional rights to burn the book takes precedence.

The protest is set to coincide with an Eid celebration taking place at the mosque, and a large number of visitors expected.

The police predict a riot could break out around the site in relation to the highly-offensive demonstration and have called in reinforcements from across the country, reports TV4.

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The two people expected to take part are said to be the organiser Salwan Momika, who has previously described himself as an Iraqi refugee who wants to ban the Quran.

Protesters burn the Swedish national flag (AFP via Getty Images)

Last year, Swedish police reportedly rejected two applications for Quran burnings outside the Turkish and Iraqi embassies.

These were denied because Swedish intelligence said the risk was too great considering the rise in terrorist activity around the same time.

This decision was later the topic of a court case, in which an administrative court ruled it wrong for police to have rejected the applications, with the Court of Appeal reaching a similar conclusion.

Two applications for "Quran burnings" were rejected last year (AFP via Getty Images)

Today's burning will be the first of its kind after the court's ruling.

Quran burnings have also become an issues on the global stage after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he would rejected Sweden's NATO application until it stops.

Other Arab countries also denounced the burning in January, including Saudia Arabia, Jordan and Kuwait.

Ryan Fahey