Stockholm: Swedish police have granted a permit for a protest, scheduled to take place on the first day of the Muslim holiday Eid Al-Adha, where an organizer plans to burn a Qur'an outside Stockholm's main mosque. The decision has sparked widespread debate on the balance between freedom of expression and religious sensitivities.
In a written statement, the police explained that the security risks associated with the Qur'an burning "were not of a nature that could justify, under current laws, a decision to reject the request." This announcement comes two weeks after a Swedish appeals court overruled the police's previous denial of permits for two demonstrations in Stockholm that also included Qur'an burnings.
The police had initially cited security concerns, as a previous Qur'an burning outside Turkiye's embassy in January resulted in weeks of protests, calls for a boycott of Swedish goods, and strained relations between the two countries.
Turkiye, which has blocked Sweden's NATO membership bid due to its perceived failure to crack down on Kurdish groups it considers "terrorists," took particular offence at the police's authorization of the January demonstration.
In response to the latest permit, the police have deployed additional forces from across the country to maintain order during the protest. Several police cars were already stationed near the mosque in the early hours of Wednesday.
The individual who submitted the permit request, Salwan Momika, 37, had previously been denied authorization for a similar protest. In his application, Momika stated, "I want to protest in front of the large mosque in Stockholm, and I want to express my opinion about the Qur'an... I will tear up the Qur'an and burn it."
The controversial decision has drawn criticism from Swedish politicians, who have expressed their disapproval of Qur'an burnings but have also staunchly defended the right to freedom of expression.
The granting of the permit has reignited the ongoing debate surrounding the limits of free speech, especially when it clashes with religious sensitivities. Critics argue that such an act is highly offensive and disrespectful to the beliefs of millions of Muslims worldwide, while proponents of freedom of expression argue that it is essential to protect the right to express unpopular or controversial views.
The Stockholm mosque's community leaders have expressed deep concern and disappointment over the planned protest, urging calm and peaceful dialogue rather than inflammatory actions.