The Swedish government has increased security measures for its embassies in Muslim countries after an angry mob torched its embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, July 20, 2023.
The attack was triggered by a planned burning of a copy of the Quran in Stockholm, Sweden, by a far-right group called the Nordic Resistance Movement. The group said it wanted to protest against the “Islamization” of Europe and the “betrayal” of the Norwegian people.
The Quran burning has sparked outrage and condemnation from various Muslim countries and organizations, as well as from human rights groups and interfaith leaders. They have urged the Swedish authorities to prevent the event and to protect the rights and safety of Muslims in Sweden.
Several Muslim countries have recalled their ambassadors to Stockholm or refused to send new ones, such as Iran, Morocco, Kuwait, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates. They have also demanded that Sweden extradite the Iraqi-born refugee who burned the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm. He was charged with agitation against an ethnic or national group last week.
The Swedish government has condemned the attack on its embassy in Baghdad and called for calm and respect for religious freedom. It has also said that it had no control over the planned Quran burning, which was allowed by the courts on freedom of expression grounds.
The Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, said that Sweden was facing a serious security situation and that there was no reason to insult other people. He also said that Sweden would not compromise on its values of democracy and human rights.
The planned Quran burning in Stockholm was scheduled for Friday, July 21, 2023, to coincide with the anniversary of the 2011 Norway attacks, which were carried out by a far-right extremist who killed 77 people.