Stockholm: A man set fire to several pages of Holy Quran outside Stockholm’s main masjid after Swedish police granted permit for protest which coincided with start of Eidul Azha.

Police said in its written decision that security risks associated with burning “Were not of nature that could justify, under current laws, decision to reject request”. Salwan Momika (37) who fled from Iraq to Sweden several years ago had asked police for permission to commit act “To express my opinion about Quran”.

Ahead of protest, Momika told news agency TT he also wanted to highlight importance of freedom of speech.

“This is democracy. It is in danger if they tell us we can’t do this,” Momika said. Under heavy police presence and with around dozen opponents shouting at him in Arabic, Momika dressed in beige trousers and shirt, addressed crowd of several dozen through megaphone. At various times, he stomped on Holy Quran and lit few pages on fire while waving Swedish flags, AFP correspondents at scene reported. Police had cordoned off an area in park next to masjid separating Momika and co-protester from crowd.

Meanwhile, representatives of masjid were disappointed by police decision to grant permission for protest on Muslim holiday of Eidul Azha, masjid director and Imam Mahmoud Khalfi said.

 “It’s just hatred masquerading in name of democracy and freedom which it isn’t,” woman, who said her mother was from Muslim background told AFP at scene. Social worker Lotta Jahn (43) also said burning should not be tolerated.

Published in The Daily National Courier, June, 29 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.