European Centre for Counterterrorism and Intelligence Studies, Germany & Netherlands – ECCI
By Jassim Mohamad – Bonn , researcher in international security and terrorism and president of the European Center ECCI
Sweden is witnessing a diplomatic and political crisis with most countries of the Islamic world, because it was granted the right to burn copies of the Holy Qur’an more than once at the hands of extremist groups and elements, looking to obtain votes and “popularity” in Swedish society.
In parallel with the diplomatic problem that Sweden is experiencing, it is suffering from an internal societal security crisis. France preceded it in 2015 by publishing the Charlie newspaper to appear as cartoons insulting to Islam.
Allowing the Swedish government to carry out such kind of actions that can be described as contempt religious would sow hatred and spread racism more within Swedish society, not to mention the security repercussions of such actions that always end in confrontations with the police and acts of burning property and others.
This raises a question, why does Sweden allow such actions? AlthoughUlf Kristersson, the Swedish Prime Minister, refused to speculate on the possible impact of the protest, he said: “It is legal, but not appropriate.” “We live in a time when one must remain calm and think about what is in Sweden’s long-term interest.”
Arab countries condemned burning the Qur’an
Several Arab countries also condemned the burning of the Qur’an. Demonstrators from the supporters of the cleric Muqtada al-Sadr stormed the headquarters of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad against burning a copy of the Holy Qur’an in Sweden and more than once during this year 2023, and in the aftermath of that the Iraqi government announced the deportation of the Swedish ambassador, and some reports stated that Baghdad decided to cut diplomatic relations with Sweden.
The right-wing bloc rules Sweden The Swedish parliament elected conservative leader Ulf Christerson as prime minister, in a voting session that witnessed unprecedented support from the far-right party, the Sweden Democrats, during October 2022. Ulf Christerson got 176 votes to 173 after announcing an agreement to form a coalition government that includes three parties, his center-right “moderates”, the Christian Democrats and the Liberals with parliamentary support from the Sweden Democrats.
Sweden’s right-wing bloc consists of moderates, liberals, Christian Democrats and the anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats. The right-wing bloc achieved progress by winning a narrow majority over the left-wing bloc, led by the ruling Social Democrats, by obtaining 176 seats in the 349-member parliament in September 2022. Contempt of religion Defamation of religions or insult or disrespect issued by a person or body regarding the beliefs and ideas of a religion, and its issue is a matter of controversy among many; While some see this as a right related to freedom of opinion and expression that must be protected, others say that it promotes religious hatred among people and therefore demand that it be legally banned and that its perpetrators be held accountable [1].
Germany criminalizes contempt religious
Germany is one of the few European countries that criminalize contempt religious Some European countries, including Germany, still maintain the article that criminalizes those who do so.
Trials in Germany, for example, are now issuing verdicts in cases related to contempt religious and this is not only due to societal developments, but also due to the amendment of the Penal Code related to “insulting beliefs, religious society and belief”, which was approved in 1871. Since the amendment of that law in 1969, the application of penalties for infringement of beliefs has become linked to the condition that this leads to a “disruption of public peace and security”, and if this is broadcast, the court issues financial fines or imprisonment for a period of up to three years.
Such incidents are related to the phenomenon of Islamophobia (phobia of Islam), which appears in media, academic, cultural and social behavior and discourse in the West, and results in targeting the sanctities of Islam in the Qur’an, mosques, veils, children and everything related to Muslims in the Western world. It is noteworthy that the number of Muslims in Sweden has become 10% of the population of 10.5 million people? [2]
As for a more comprehensive study of the reasons behind the increase in hostility to Islam, Islamophobia in the European continent in general remains an important analytical tool that cannot be bypassed in this context. Hatred of Islam and Muslims in the West is fueled by active media and cultural institutions and right-wing extremists who have found a fertile environment in recent years with the political rise of right-wing forces, led by the Sweden Democrats, the anti-immigration party that came in second place in the recent Swedish elections.[3]
Human Rights Commission – Preventing Religious contempt and Hatred. The UN’s top human rights body on July 12, 2023 overwhelmingly approved a measure calling for countries to do more to prevent religious hatred in the wake of Quran burnings in Europe, despite objections from Western countries that fear tougher steps by governments could trample on freedom of expression.The decision follows recent Quran burnings in parts of Europe and, among other things, calls on states to take steps to “prevent and prosecute acts and advocacy of religious hatred that constitute incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.”[4]
Swedish Christian Council condemns the burning of the Koran
Swedish Christian Council condemns the burning of the Koran in Stockholm The Presidium of the Swedish Christian Council (SKR) published a statement “As Christian churches, we defend the right of every person to practice their faith regardless of religion.””Burning the Qur’an is a deliberate violation of the faith and identity of Muslims, but we also consider it an attack on all believers. Therefore, we want to express our solidarity with the faithful Muslims in our country.” SKT Presidium consisting of Cardinal Anders Arborelius, Catholic Bishop of the Archdiocese of Stockholm; Reverend Martin Modius, Archbishop of the Lutheran Church in Sweden, Lasse Svensson, Leader of the Lutheran Movements; Archbishop of the Syriac Orthodox Church Benjamin Dioskoros Atas and Mrs. Sophia Kamnerin, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning. [5]
Conclusion
Limits of freedom of expression and the principle of harm The incident in Sweden in January 2023 raises fundamental questions about the limits of freedom of expression and the principle of harm.
While freedom of expression is an important right, it should not be used to justify actions that cause harm to others, particularly in the context of rising hate speech and incitement to violence against minorities.
Only by carefully balancing these principles can we create a truly inclusive and democratic society.
While freedom of expression is an essential aspect of a democratic society, it should not be used as a shield to justify actions that harm others.
The incident can also be seen as an example of the consequences of failing to balance these principles.
If someone uses their freedom of expression to spread hate speech against a particular group, it can lead to discrimination and even violence against members of that group.
This can create an atmosphere of exclusion, and undermine the principles of inclusiveness and democracy. Therefore, it is important to ensure that freedom of expression is not used to blaspheme religions and create hate. [6]
The burning of the Holy Qur’an or other holy books can be described as a provocative act that increases racism and works to divide society.
Burning the copy of the Holy Qur’an does not justify Sweden’s reactions that it cannot prevent freedom of opinion according to its constitution and laws, ever.
It is expected that burning copies of Holly Quran could be in Sweeden, since there is no change in constitution and policies.
This means that the Swedish government must separate between freedom of opinion or expression of opinion and between blasphemy of sanctities that is based on systematic action within the framework of hatred.[7]
* Copyright reserved to the European Center for Counterterrorism and Intelligence Studies ECCI
References
[1]ازدراء الأديان.. جدلية المفهوم وصراع التقنين | الموسوعة | الجزيرة نت
bit.ly/3Q1nHbZ
[2] لماذا تتكرر وقائع حرق المصحف الشريف في السويد؟ | الجزيرة نت
لماذا تتكرر وقائع حرق المصحف الشريف في السويد؟
[3] لماذا تتكرر وقائع حرق المصحف الشريف في السويد؟
[4] After Quran burnings, UN rights body calls for more action to combat religious hatred |
bit.ly/43E1J1M
Swedish Christian Council condemns the burning of the Quran in Stockholm [5]
bit.ly/44ylCbW
Burning The Quran in Sweden: Hatred or Freedom? | LSE Human Rights[6]
bit.ly/3OofihE
Turkish fury as Sweden allows Qur’an burning risks further delays to Nato [7]
