The desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden has triggered a strong reaction from Muslim countries as they condemn the horrific act. In a recent form of protest, fans, officials and footballers at an Iraqi League football match held up copies of the Holy Quran in protest of the Quran burning incident in Sweden.
The incident occurred on Friday ahead of the fixture between Al-Shorta and Al-Qasim when match officials and players from both teams held up the Holy Quran, with some kissing it, to show their reverence for the sacred text.
The act was a direct response to a disturbing incident of an Iraqi man in Sweden desecrating and burning a copy of the Quran outside the largest mosque in the capital Stockholm on the first day of Eid Al-Adha.
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As the players lined up on the field, each holding a copy of the holy book, their message resonated globally. The act conveyed a clear message of condemnation against the burning of the Holy Quran.
The image of Iraqi footballers standing united, Quran in hand, is a special symbol of resistance and a reminder that sports can transcend boundaries. Their protest against the Sweden incident serves as a powerful protest against Islamophobia.
Much respect to Iraqi footballers and referees as they hold the Quran before a match in reply to the burning of the Quran in Sweden.#quran #quranburning #quranburninginsweden pic.twitter.com/eCg8KyQhMb
— Mohammed Al-Hilli (@malhilli) July 1, 2023
The Sweden incident has drawn condemnation and protests from across the Arab and Muslim world, with several countries, including Iraq, Turkiye, UAE, Jordan and Iran, summoning Sweden’s ambassadors.
Iraq’s judiciary has also requested the extradition of the man responsible for the stunt, Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika.
“Legal justifications and freedom of expression do not justify allowing offense to religious sanctities,” Iraq’s foreign ministry also said.
Iraqis have also staged angry protests, with hundreds having briefly stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on Thursday, many thought to be supporters of Shia cleric Moqtada Al-Sadr.
Read more: Saudi summons Swedish ambassador over Quran burning