The incident, which took place in front of Stockholm's largest mosque, has ignited a wave of outrage among Muslims worldwide.
Addressing members of his party, President Erdogan declared: “We will not bow to the politics of provocation and threat. We will show our opposition against Islamophobia.”
He firmly stood against the desecration of the Quran and emphasized that Western symbols of arrogance would eventually learn that insulting Muslims is not an exercise of freedom of thought.
Directly addressing the perpetrators and those who allow such acts under the guise of freedom of thought, Erdogan proclaimed: “Those who commit the crime, who allow it under the guise of freedom of thought will not achieve their goals.”
He made it clear that Turkey would stand firm in its stance against such actions.
Erdogan underscored the profound significance of Eid al-Adha, stating, “Eid al-Adha, which unites people of different languages, religions, and cultures, is the symbol of solidarity. It is about sharing the joy of the holiday by gathering around a table with our brothers and sisters.”
The incident itself involved Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old individual who sought refuge in Sweden several years ago. On June 28, in an act that shocked the local community, Momika stomped on the Quran and callously set several pages ablaze in front of the mosque. While the Swedish police initially granted him a permit for the protest based on free speech protections, they have since opened an investigation into the matter, citing “agitation.”
With heavy police presence maintained throughout the event to ensure public safety, the desecration of the Quran has sparked crucial discussions about the boundaries of free speech and the urgent need for religious tolerance within Western societies. (ILKHA)