Sweden has been on the receiving end of diplomatic protests and at least one physical assault on an embassy after a copy of the Quran was burnt in a protest in Stockholm.
On Wednesday, Salwan Momiika – reportedly an Iraqi living in Sweden – burned a copy of the Muslim holy book outside a Stockholm mosque.
The following day, a mob gathered in Baghdad and stormed the embassy, remaining inside for about 15 minutes before security services arrived.
A number of predominantly Muslim countries registered their anger at Momika’s action, which took place with a necessary official permit.
Turkey condemned the action as ‘unacceptable’ that this had taken place ‘under the pretext of freedom of expression.’
Iraq called the burning ‘a reflection of a hateful aggressive spirit that has nothing to do with freedom of expression.’ Iran said it was ‘provocative’, and Egypt called it ‘shameful’.
Saudi Arabia said that ‘these hateful and repeated acts cannot be accepted with any justification.’
Morocco and Jordan recalled their ambassadors to Sweden over the incident.
Plans to burn the Quran in protests had caused tensions in Sweden in recent months, and had been denied official permission. However, the country’s courts had subsequently ruled that this was to be allowed on the grounds of freedom of expression.
The country’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said of the incident that what has happened was ‘legal but not appropriate’. Police are investigating whether Momika’s actions constituted incitement hatred.