Sweden may prohibit public Quran burnings.

The Swedish Government Considers Changing Law to Prevent Quran Burnings

The Swedish government is currently examining the possibility of amending the law to prohibit the public burning of the Quran. Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer revealed this in an interview with the Aftonbladet paper on Thursday. Recent incidents of Quran burnings have not only caused outrage in the Muslim world but have also compromised Sweden’s security.

Outrage and Security Concerns

Last week, an Iraqi immigrant in Sweden burned the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm, sparking widespread condemnation, including from the Pope. The Swedish Security services have expressed their concerns, stating that such actions make the country less safe.

Freedom of Speech Laws

Earlier this year, the police rejected several applications for protests that involved burning the Quran, citing security reasons. However, the courts later overturned these decisions, asserting that such acts are protected by Sweden’s extensive freedom of speech laws.

Possible Law Change

The Minister of Justice in Sweden announced that the government is currently analyzing the situation and considering whether the law should be revised to allow the police to deny such requests. “We need to evaluate whether the current system is effective or if there is a need for reconsideration,” Strommer stated in the interview with Aftonbladet.

Threats to Internal Security

Strommer also highlighted that Sweden has become a “prioritized target” for attacks, emphasizing the threats to internal security that have arisen as a result of the Quran burning incident. The incident has had broader implications as well.

Impact on NATO Application

The Quran burnings have not only damaged Sweden’s internal security but have also affected its bid to join NATO. Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan has stated that his country cannot ratify Sweden’s application until Quran burnings are halted.

(Reporting by Johan Ahlander; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)