THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUMMONS SWEDISH ENVOY TO CONDEMN THE DESECRATION OF THE HOLY QURAN IN SWEDEN
THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SUMMONS
SWEDISH ENVOY TO CONDEMN THE DESECRATION OF THE HOLY QURAN IN
SWEDEN
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today summoned His Excellency Dr. Joachim Bergström, Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia, to express the Government of Malaysia’s strong condemnation over the recent desecration of the Holy Quran in Stockholm, Sweden on 20 July 2023. This marks the third time such a vile act took place in Sweden this year, after the first and second incidents in January and June 2023, respectively.
During the meeting, the Ministry reiterated Malaysia's objection and disappointment over the Swedish Government for granting approval and allowing such a derogative act towards the Holy Quran to be carried out repeatedly in Sweden under the pretext of freedom of speech. Although the burning of the Holy Quran failed in the recent incident, the provocative act of stomping the Holy Book still caused immense distress and offended millions of Muslims worldwide.
The Ministry also stressed to the Ambassador that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly and with due regard for the religious sensitivities of diverse global communities. Such acts of disrespect towards any religion have the potential to incite religious hatred and undermine the harmony and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths. In this regard, the Ministry urged the Swedish Government to reassess the fairness and equal application of freedom of speech and to take immediate and necessary measures to end "structural Islamophobia".
PUTRAJAYA
24 July 2023