Diplomatic Protests Pour Into Sweden

Not only has Sweden had to deal with riots in several cities these past few days in response to the Koran-burning events organized by Rasmus Paludan, they also have to field diplomatic protests coming from places like Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

The below article from Samnytt is translated by Fousesquawk.

https://samnytt.se/irak-kraver-att-sverige-visar-sarskild-respekt-for-islam-protest-till-svensk-diplomat/

After Koran burnings: Iraq demands that Sweden show “special” respect for Islam

Foreign: April 19, 2022, 19:00

On Sunday, Iraq’s foreign ministry summoned Swedish embassy counselor Hakan Rooth to lodge a formal protest.

The background is that Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan, during the Easter weekend, burned copies of the Koran in Sweden. The Koran-burnings have led to violent Muslim riots in several Swedish cities.

According to a press release from the Iraqi government, the Koran-burnings in Sweden are something that “are considered to be provocative to Muslims’ feelings,” and “seriously violate Muslims’ sanctity”.

Demand special respect

Iraq’s government calls on the Swedish government to “stop all actions which stir up feelings of a religious character, especially those that affect Muslims’ sanctity.”

According to Swedish Radio, the Foreign Ministry confirms that an embassy representative was summoned to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. The (Swedish) Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, is not commenting on what was said during the meeting.

“We are greatly aware that Muslims have reacted badly to these demonstrations. The government in no way stands behind the anti-Islam expressions that individuals have expressed during the demonstrations,” writes the Foreign Ministry Press Office in a statement.

Several Muslim countries

Iraq is not the only country that is protesting against the Swedish Koran burnings. Saudi Arabia, through its embassy in Sweden, has publicly condemned (them) and called them “deliberate violations against the Holy Koran,” as well as “provocations and incitement against Muslims”.

Iran’s ambassador is also upset.

“Setting fire to the Holy Koran during Ramadan and mocking Muslims in this manner is a very clear example of anti-Muslim racism,” he writes on Twitter.

Multi-millions in aid

Last year, Iraq received 362 million kronors in aid from Sweden through the governmental SIDA (Sweden Aid Authority). Iraq is also one of the most common countries among foreign-born in Sweden.

Last year, there were almost 150,000 people living in Sweden who were born in Iraq. That makes Iraqis the next-largest immigrant group in Sweden. Syrians are the largest immigrant group; almost 200,000 Syrian-born people live in Sweden according to SCB (Swedish Statistical Authority).