https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 10:56:48 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230808-is-there-anything-new-on-turkiyes-path-towards-europe/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 08:16:40 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658629 As usual, Turkish President Recep Tayyeb Erdogan has made another political U-turn with his country's foreign policy. After stressing repeatedly just a few days before the NATO summit in Lithuania last month that Sweden has still not done all that is required of it to Turkiye's satisfaction as agreed (along with Finland) in June last year, and criticising the Swedes for allowing protesters to burn copies of the Holy Quran, Erdogan has agreed to proceed with the country joining NATO. Following a meeting between Erdogan, the Swedish Prime Minister and NATO's secretary-general, the organisation's closing statement included Turkiye's agreement to refer Sweden's NATO accession to the parliament in Ankara. In return, Sweden made certain commitments, including cooperation with Turkiye to […]]]> 658629 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-quran-burnings-do-not-represent-sweden-says-swedish-fm/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 16:46:37 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658343 READ: Denmark studying legal measures to prevent Quran burning: Egyptian Foreign Ministry ]]> 658343 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-quran-burnings-proof-of-broader-bias-against-migrants-in-europe-ex-un-rapporteur/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 11:22:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658295 A recent wave of Quran burnings in Sweden and Denmark is "an assertion of a broader anti-immigrant, anti-non-European right-wing bias that has grown to be quite politically strong," a former UN special rapporteur has said. "There's no legitimate purpose by allowing groups to burn the holy scriptures of another religious faith," Richard Falk, a professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University, said. "It seems to me to serve … no possible constructive purpose. And I think there is a strong case for [such acts to be] prohibited." In recent months, far-right groups have desecrated and burnt several copies of the Quran in Denmark and neighbouring Sweden, drawing fierce condemnation from Muslims around the world and calls for measures to stop […]]]> 658295 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230807-turkiye-ruling-ak-party-urges-sweden-to-adopt-balanced-policy-against-hate-crimes/ Mon, 07 Aug 2023 10:56:35 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658291 The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party in Turkiye called yesterday on Sweden to adopt an "effective and balanced" policy against all hate crimes, Anadolu has reported. Party spokesman [ made his comment after the "provocative parade" organised by PKK supporters that targeted Turkiye and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Stockholm on Saturday. Celik condemned the provocative PKK supporters as well as the Swedish authorities which "tolerate such acts". He called on the authorities in Sweden to fulfil their obligations in the fight against terrorism. The PKK is designated as a terrorist group by Turkiye and other countries, including the US, Canada and Australia, as well as the EU. "There should be no place for terrorist acts and activities that […]]]> 658291 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-attacks-on-quran-extremist-acts-say-british-academics/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 18:01:21 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658060 Academics known for their work on religion, faith and society in the UK have said that attacks on the Muslim holy book, Quran, in Scandinavian countries are "extremist acts that must be prevented", Anadolu Agency reports. Alison Scott-Baumann, a Professor of Society and Faith at the Centre for Islamic Studies at SOAS University, and David Thomas, a Professor of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham, spoke to Anadolu about the increasing Islamophobic attacks in Scandinavian countries, especially Sweden and Denmark. Scott-Baumann stated that the acts of burning the Quran in Scandinavian countries are a result of the effect caused by the discourses of politicians and emphasized that these discourses are fed by the idea of "creating enemies in […]]]> 658060 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-iran-born-swedish-woman-burns-quran-in-stockholm/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 11:25:41 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657996 An Iranian-born woman has burnt a copy of the Quran in the Swedish capital Stockholm under police protection. The woman, Bayrami Marjan, 47, set fire to the Quran at the Angbybadet beach in Bromma on the shore of Lake Malaren. ??☪️ Another Quran burner pops up-Iranian immigrant sets holy book on fire on the beach in the suburbs of Stockholm,Sweden. Burning of Muslim's holy book intensifies again with Iran claiming pic.twitter.com/V9ptdO5vgt — MARIA (@its_maria012) August 3, 2023 Sweden and Denmark have recently witnessed a series of incidents involving the desecration of the Muslim holy book by extreme right-wing activists in front of embassies of Islamic countries which has sparked anger across the Arab and Muslim world. On 26 July, the […]]]> 657996 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-eu-views-reckless-quran-burnings-in-denmark-sweden-as-individual-provocations/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 19:01:24 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657952 Recent "reckless" attacks on Islam's holy book, the Quran, in Denmark and Sweden are "individual" provocations, the EU said on Thursday, Anadolu Agency reports. "The EU has always been clear that manifestations of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance have no place in Europe," Nabila Massrali, the EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said at a press conference. Responding to reporters' questions, Massrali said such actions are incompatible with the values ​​upon which the EU was founded, which include respect for religious communities. "These reckless acts committed by individual provocateurs only benefit those who want to divide us and our societies," she added. She reiterated that the EU attaches "great importance" to promoting religious freedom or belief for Muslims […]]]> 657952 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-danish-opposition-protests-at-government-move-to-stop-quran-burnings/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 14:58:33 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657918 Seven Danish opposition parties, on Thursday, voiced objection to the government's efforts to make it illegal to burn copies of the Quran, arguing that legislation would be an unacceptable restriction on freedom of expression, Reuters reports. Outrage in the Muslim world over desecration of the Quran in front of embassies of Muslim countries in Denmark and Sweden has prompted both governments to say they will look for ways to legally restrict the burnings. But prohibiting Quran burnings would interfere with the principles of free speech in Denmark, the opposition parties said in a joint statement. "All undersigned parties uphold fundamental Danish civil liberties and are of the opinion that civil liberties must always take precedence over religious dogmas," they wrote. By giving in to outside pressure, […]]]> 657918 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-one-injured-during-shooting-at-swedish-consulate-in-turkiyes-izmir/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 16:48:20 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657533 A Turkish woman employee was seriously wounded in an armed attack on Tuesday at Sweden's honorary Consulate in the western province of Izmir, local Turkish media, NTV news reports. According to the report, the local governor's office said the attack was carried out by a "mentally disabled" person with a gun in the Konak district of Izmir at 0945 GMT. The attack took place outside Sweden's honorary Consulate. The wounded woman, who was working as a secretary at the diplomatic mission, was in critical condition, it added. The Swedish Foreign Ministry's press service in Stockholm confirmed the attack and said in an email to AFP that it was "in close contact" with the general Consulate in Istanbul which was, in […]]]> 657533 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-nasrallah-attacks-muslim-countries-for-weak-stance-on-quran-burnings/ Wed, 02 Aug 2023 11:42:10 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657239 The Secretary-General of Lebanon's Hezbollah movement has called those who desecrate the Holy Quran to be punished. Hassan Nasrallah described the position taken by Muslim countries in defending the Holy Quran as "weak and disappointing," albeit not surprising. "If the insult had been directed at a king or a member of their family, they would have been furious, but for the burning of the Quran, they did nothing," he added. "If the rulers in our Islamic world do not have the courage and zeal to defend the Holy Quran, how will they have the courage to defend our land, Lebanon, or Al-Aqsa Mosque?" Iraqi Christian Selwan Momika burned pages from the Quran in front of the Swedish parliament building in […]]]> 657239 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-sweden-to-boost-border-controls-after-quran-burnings/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 18:29:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657148 Threats to Sweden have increased after recent Quran burnings, the country's government said on Tuesday, adding it had strengthened border controls to give police wider authority to stop and search people, as a result, Reuters reports. A new law, effective from the start of August, gives police extended powers to perform checks on and around the country's borders, including body searches, and allows for increased electronic surveillance. "Border controls are a measure that gives us the conditions to identify people coming into Sweden who could represent a threat to security," Justice Minister, Gunnar Strommer, told a news conference. Sweden and Denmark have seen a string of protests in recent weeks, in which copies of the Quran were burned or otherwise damaged, prompting outrage […]]]> 657148 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-denmark-will-continue-close-dialogue-with-muslim-countries-over-quran-burnings/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 12:51:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657089 Denmark said, Monday, that it has noted the latest declaration by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) following a recent string of public desecrations of the Quran, saying it will continue close dialogue with the group's member states, Anadolu Agency reports. "Denmark has condemned the recent Quran burnings and is exploring the possibility of intervening in special situations within Danish freedom of expression," Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, said on Twitter. Releasing a statement following a session of its Council of Foreign Ministers on Monday, the OIC "strongly condemned" the recent Quran burnings in Sweden and Denmark, expressing "deeply regret" that these incidents continue to be allowed by the authorities. In a statement late Sunday, the Danish government said […]]]> 657089 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230731-denmark-hopes-bid-to-ban-quran-burnings-will-ease-tensions-with-muslim-countries/ Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:43:10 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656727 Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, said on Monday he hoped the government's proposal to limit Quran burnings in the country would help de-escalate a growing international conflict with several Muslim countries, Reuters reports. Denmark and Sweden have seen several protests in recent weeks where copies of the Quran have been burned, or otherwise damaged, prompting outrage in Muslim countries, which have demanded the Nordic governments put a stop to the burnings. The Danish government said on Sunday it would seek to find a "legal tool" that could enable authorities to intervene in such protests, if deemed to entail "significant negative consequences for Denmark, not least with regard to security". READ: Qurans burnt in front of Egypt, Turkiye embassies in Denmark "The fact that we are […]]]> 656727 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230729-turkiye-urges-denmark-to-take-urgent-action-to-prevent-quran-burnings-source/ Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:37:02 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656430 Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday urged Denmark to take urgent action to prevent burnings of the Qur'an, a Turkish foreign ministry source said, Reuters reports. In a phone call with his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Fidan condemned the "continuous vile attacks against the Qur'an". He told Rasmussen it was unacceptable to allow such actions under the guise of freedom of expression, the source said. Rasmussen on Saturday wrote on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter: "Turkiye and Denmark are close allies. Important to not let these acts succeed in creating division." He also reiterated Denmark's "strong condemnation of these provocative acts by few individuals." The comments came after a small group of anti-Islam activists set fire to […]]]> 656430 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230729-swedish-migration-agency-re-examines-residency-permit-of-quran-burner/ Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:35:30 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656431 The Swedish migration agency said late on Friday it is re-examining the residency permit of an Iraqi refugee who is behind several Qur'an desecrations in Stockholm in recent weeks, which have upset Muslims across the world, Reuters reports. The man burnt a copy of the Qur'an last month outside of Stockholm's central mosque and also held a demonstration in front of the Iraqi embassy in July where he said he would burn the holy book, but did not do so. The migration agency said it is re-examining his immigration status, after it received information from the Swedish authorities that have given reason to examine whether the man's status in Sweden should be revoked. "It is a statutory measure that is taken when the Swedish migration agency receives such […]]]> 656431 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230729-al-aqsa-preacher-we-reject-quran-burning-ben-gvirs-actions-a-declaration-of-war/ Sat, 29 Jul 2023 10:00:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656401 Preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque Sheikh Ekrima Sabri asserted that Muslims refuse the burning of any holy book and consider that justifying such action as being a matter of freedom of opinion by Western countries, such as Sweden and Denmark, is "unacceptable and unconvincing." Sheikh Sabri considered the statement by Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir regarding the return and imposition of Israeli rule on Al-Aqsa Mosque as a "declaration of war". Sheikh Sabri shared in an interview with Anadolu Agency inside Al-Aqsa Mosque: "The West has a trivial and unconvincing argument, which is that the burning of the Quran falls within the circle of freedom of opinion or freedom of movement, and this is totally rejected." He called on […]]]> 656401 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-new-momentum-turkiye-and-the-eu-are-an-inseparable-duo/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:29:19 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656075 Turkiye and the EU are facing a positive turn in their otherwise bumpy diplomatic relations. A recent EU Council conclusion calls for a more geopolitical and positive outlook toward Turkiye, while the Vilnius NATO summit resulted in a warm welcome by everyone of Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan's surprise decision to give a green light to Sweden's NATO membership. In the media, President Erdogan's move has been linked both to the sale of American F-16 fighter jets, as well as Sweden's commitment to improve intelligence cooperation, namely surrounding the PKK terrorist organisation, and unblocking Turkiye's bid to join the EU. F-16 technology is a crucial and long-standing demand from Turkiye, but the honest truth remains that independent Swedish courts do […]]]> 656075 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-muslims-decry-repeated-quran-burnings-desecration-in-western-countries/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:43:25 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656066 Muslims, worldwide, have condemned the desecration and burning of the Quran in Denmark and Sweden, asserting that these attacks cannot be justified by freedom of expression, Anadolu Agency reports. In response to the rising incidents of Quran desecration in Western countries, Anadolu spoke with locals from Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Lebanon and Palestine who took to the streets condemning the act. Yusuf Abu Sunayne, a preacher of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied East Jerusalem, said: "The Book of Allah has been preserved in the hearts of Muslims; no matter what they do, no matter how much they hate, no matter how many opportunities they look to attack, the Book of Allah will guide Muslims in the East and West." He went on […]]]> 656066 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-israel-warns-against-burning-of-torah-in-sweden/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:26:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656058 Israel warned, on Friday, that the burning of the Torah in Sweden could harm relations between the two countries, Anadolu Agency reports. Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, spoke with his Swedish counterpart, Tobias Billstrom, and explained to him that Israel takes seriously the use of threats to burn holy books in Sweden, according to a statement by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Cohen told Billstrom that he was "horrified" by the possible recurrence of burning the Torah in Sweden, stating that this could harm relations between the two countries. The Israeli Foreign Minister conveyed in his message that Israel expects the Swedish government to prevent such acts that would have an impact on the bilateral ties. According to Israel 24 website, the […]]]> 656058 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-sweden-minister-quran-burnings-damage-security-countrys-image/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 10:02:47 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656002 The Swedish Minister of Justice, Gunnar Strommer, has criticised the repeated incidents of burning the Holy Quran, saying they have worsened the security situation and damaged Sweden's image, Anadolu news agency reported. "It is a grave situation that Sweden is being portrayed as an Islamophobic country, while the Quran burnings not only made the country less safe but also hurt its image," Strommer told a joint news conference with Charlotte von Essen, head of the Swedish Security Service. He explained that his country has accelerated actions against terrorism and put 15 institutions on alert. Von Essen said the terrorist threat in the country has risen since March and will remain high. On Tuesday, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a […]]]> 656002 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-what-does-the-kremlin-think-about-turkiyes-stance-on-swedens-nato-bid/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 10:00:33 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655548 Some experts argue that Turkiye's approval of Sweden's NATO membership will strain its ties with Russia. However, a more nuanced approach is needed to understand the issues at stake. Turkiye-Russia relations go way beyond superficial analysis. Since the Russo-Turkish War of 1676–1681, they have fought on many occasions, and have accumulated sufficient experience to understand each other. They have managed their relationship through balanced, realistic and interest-oriented policies. Sometimes, in this context, 2 plus 2 does not always equal 4, especially in the post-Cold War period. The Kremlin is aware of two essential things: Turkiye has been a NATO member since 1952, and its army is NATO's second largest; and Russia's relations with Turkiye are conducted through intricate negotiations, taking […]]]> 655548 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-turkiye-welcomes-un-general-assemblys-resolution-deploring-desecration-of-holy-books/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 19:19:42 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655283 Turkiye welcomed the UN General Assembly's resolution that deplores all acts of violence against Holy Books as a violation of international law, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday, Anadolu Agency reports. "We welcome the decision of the UN General Assembly, which took place on 25 July, 2023, to consider any form of violence against sacred books as a violation of international law, and we are pleased that our country is also a co-sponsor of this resolution." It added this resolution holds particular significance in light of recent incidents in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands, where police protection was granted for the burning of copies of the holy Quran. READ: 'Hatred against Muslims in Europe threatens co-existence' "These hate crimes […]]]> 655283 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-un-general-assembly-adopts-resolution-denouncing-attacks-on-holy-books/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 18:16:54 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655540 The United Nations General Assembly yesterday adopted a resolution denouncing violent acts against holy books and considering such acts a violation of international law. The resolution was drafted by Morocco and adopted by a consensus in the 193-member UN body. It comes in the wake of multiple burnings and desecration of the holy Quran in European countries, including a recent Quran burning incident in front of a mosque in Sweden, drawing international outrage. The resolution strongly deplores "all acts of violence against persons on the basis of their religion or belief, as well as any such acts directed against their religious symbols, holy books, homes, businesses, properties, schools, cultural centres or places of worship, as well as all attacks on and in religious […]]]> 655540 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-sweden-minister-regrets-repeated-incidents-of-quran-burning/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 08:46:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655136 Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom has expressed his country's deep regret and categorical rejection of the repeated incidents when copies of the Holy Quran were burned by protesters, describing them as "despicable". According to the foreign ministry in Algiers, he made his comments during a phone call with his Algerian counterpart, Ahmed Ataf, after the Swedish charge d'affaires in the North African country was summoned to hear Algeria's protest about the incidents in Stockholm. Billstrom reminded Ataf that Sweden's constitution places restrictions on the government's ability to deter such behaviour. However, he explained that the ministry of justice is looking at the possibility of applying Swedish law related to maintaining public order in order to address this "unacceptable behaviour". READ: Sweden […]]]> 655136 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230725-sweden-opposition-demands-urgent-meeting-on-quran-burnings/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 19:00:51 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655099 Sweden's left-wing opposition party demanded an emergency parliamentary meeting Tuesday about the ongoing Quran burnings, Anadolu Agency reports. "We are calling for the foreign policy committee to be called to an extra meeting as soon as possible as a result of what is now happening," Social Democrats' Foreign Policy spokesperson, Morgan Johansson, said in a statement. Johansson urged the government to take measures "to protect Swedish lives and the Swedish interests." He said Sweden has found itself in "an extremely serious situation which has been getting steadily worse." The Social Democrats demanded the right-wing government inform the Riksdag about the diplomatic crisis that Sweden is facing and inform other parties about how it intends to manage the turmoil caused by […]]]> 655099 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230725-qurans-burnt-in-front-of-egypt-turkiye-embassies-in-denmark/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 15:26:15 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655020 A small group of anti-Islam activists set fire to Qurans in front of the Egyptian and Turkish embassies in Copenhagen on Tuesday, after similar protests in Denmark and Sweden over recent weeks that have enraged Muslims, Reuters reports. Denmark and Sweden have said they deplore the burning of Islam's Holy Book but cannot prevent it under rules protecting free speech. Last week, protesters in Iraq set the Swedish embassy in Baghdad ablaze. Tuesday's demonstration in Copenhagen by a group called "Danish Patriots" followed Quran burnings the group staged on Monday and last week in front of the Iraqi embassy. Two such incidents have taken place in Sweden over the past month. Iraq's Foreign Ministry on Monday called on authorities of EU […]]]> 655020 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230724-oic-suspends-swedens-special-envoy-status/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:00:31 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654856 The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said on Sunday that it has informed the government in Stockholm that it has suspended Sweden's special envoy status to the organisation after the desecration of copies of the Holy Qur'an by protesters in the North European country. The OIC has 57 Muslim-majority countries in its membership. The general secretariat of the organisation said that this step comes in line with the recommendations of the final communique issued by the OIC Executive Committee's extraordinary meeting held on 2 July. "The meeting asked Secretary-General H.E. Hissein Brahim Taha to consider possible steps to review the official framework linking the general secretariat to any country in which copies of the Holy Qur'an or other Islamic values […]]]> 654856 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230724-did-sweden-get-into-nato/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 13:50:05 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654835 "But don't let appearances fool you. There's always only one reality." (Haruki Murakami) In the coming weeks and months, I imagine that Europeans and North Americans who concern themselves with international politics will experience conversations along the following lines: Person 1: "… so when Sweden joins NATO, Europe will have a unified deterrent against Putin." Person 2: "Wait, I thought Sweden was in NATO?" Person 1: "Not exactly. The Turkish Parliament still needs to approve their accession." Person 2: "But I thought Sweden was accepted to NATO during the Vilnius conference?" Person 1: "Not exactly. The press and most NATO officials tried to make it look like that, but actually Sweden was not accepted to NATO. In fact, not much […]]]> 654835 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230724-hezbollah-if-israel-is-behind-quran-burnings-we-need-strong-popular-positions/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 09:46:13 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654719 If Israel's Mossad intelligence agency is behind the burning of the Quran, then there needs to be "strong popular and official positions" to stand against it, the Secretary-General of the Lebanese Hezbollah group, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, has said. In statements reported by Al-Mayadeen TV, Nasrallah said that if the Mossad was actually involved in the Quran burnings in Sweden, then there is the risk of facing a "movement that will continue which needs strong popular and official positions." Quran burnings: Free speech or hate speech? Nasrallah called for severing diplomatic ties with Sweden and not to be "deceived by apologies." He added that Iraq's summoning of the Iraqi Chargé d'Affaires from Sweden was the most significant response at the official level, warning that […]]]> 654719 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230722-hamas-swedish-permission-to-burn-quran-spreading-hatred/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 13:40:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654456 Senior Hamas leader Izzat Al-Risheq announced on Friday that the Swedish permission to burn the Holy Quran is "spreading hatred." "The renewed permission for burning the Holy Quran by some of the extremists in Sweden is perseverance in spreading hatred and a violation of all the monotheistic religions, conventions and values," Al-Risheq asserted. According to Al-Resalah newspaper, he asserted: "This act is despicable and provocative to the feelings of all Muslims around the world." Al-Risheq continued: "This also reveals abhorrent racism and a moral and ethical imbalance among those responsible for it and those who protect them." The Hamas official stressed the importance of preventing the occurrence of such acts under the pretext of freedom, "which is being misused." Al-Risheq […]]]> 654456 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230722-baghdad-sweden-embassy-staff-return-to-stockholm/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 09:57:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654450 The staff of the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad returned on Friday to Stockholm for security reasons after the embassy was stormed by protesters angry about permission being granted to burn the Holy Quran in Stockholm. This came after a number of protesters stormed the embassy and set fire to it, Iraqi media revealed. However, there have been no details about the severity of the damage. On Thursday, Iraq expelled the Swedish ambassador in protest of a planned burning of the Holy Quran that prompted hundreds of protesters to gather near the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. A spokesperson for the Sweden Foreign Ministry announced on Friday that staff and operations would temporarily move to Stockholm for security reasons but declined to […]]]> 654450 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230722-senior-algeria-islamist-denied-admission-to-hospital/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 09:36:47 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654448 Ali Belhadj, a senior leader of the Algerian Islamic Salvation Front, was denied admission to Mustafa Pacha Hospital for a medical examination, Arabi21.com reported on Friday. In a recorded speech posted on YouTube, Belhadj shared he was going to the hospital for medical examinations, but security stopped him. He continued: "They asked me to go to another hospital. I told them: 'No one can prevent my admission to the hospital or the doctor I want…' After a fierce conversation, I was not allowed to proceed, so I returned home without any medical examination." READ: Algeria president: Country applied to join BRICS, offered $1.5bn Belhadj recounted the dire situation of freedoms in "the new Algeria" and how Algerians are being lost in the middle of […]]]> 654448 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230722-saudi-arabia-summons-swedish-charge-daffairs-to-protest-quran-burning/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 09:00:27 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654440 The Saudi Foreign Ministry on Friday summoned the chargé d'affaires of the Swedish Embassy in the Kingdom, handing him a protest note against the burning and desecration of copies of the Holy Quran. This was conveyed in a statement issued by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported by the official Saudi Press Agency. The statement read: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned today (Friday) the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Sweden in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and handed him a protest note on Riyadh's demand for the Swedish authorities to take all immediate and necessary measures to stop these disgraceful acts, which violate all religious teachings and international laws and norms." The statement: "Affirmed the Kingdom of […]]]> 654440 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230722-quran-burnings-free-speech-or-hate-speech/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 07:30:56 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654396   A series of Quran burnings authorised by Swedish authorities sparked worldwide condemnation and mass protests in several Muslim-majority countries. These incidents also reignited the ongoing debate regarding the delicate balance between freedom of speech and protecting religious groups from acts that incite hatred or harm. In Sweden, freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration are constitutionally protected rights. This means that any individual in Sweden has the right to express their opinions, even if they are offensive or disrespectful to certain religious beliefs. Historically, Sweden had laws prohibiting blasphemy which were rooted in its close association with the church, but throughout the 20th century, Sweden gradually moved towards secularisation and blasphemy was decriminalised. Reintroducing a ban on the burning of […]]]> 654396 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-uk-quran-burning-desecration-deeply-insulting-to-muslims/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 16:31:31 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654391 Britain has condemned the desecration and burning of the Quran, Islam's holy book, in the Swedish capital city of Stockholm, Anadolu Agency reports. In a written statement issued by a spokesperson of UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the British government said such actions are "deeply insulting to Muslims around the world and completely inappropriate". Saying the UK denounces hatred on the basis of religion or belief, the Foreign Office said: "We will defend freedom of religion or belief for all, and promote mutual respect. We recognise the deep suffering experienced by Muslims around the world caused by the burning of the Quran." READ: UN Human Rights Council condemns attacks on Quran despite Western states' rejection Arab and Islamic states […]]]> 654391 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-turkiye-working-against-end-of-black-sea-grain-deal-and-resulting-fallout-president/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:40:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654342 Ending the Black Sea grain deal as announced this week would hit hard in numerous ways, warned Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that Turkiye is already working to prevent this, Anadolu Agency reports. "The termination of the Black Sea grain initiative will have a range of (harmful) effects, ranging from raising global food prices, in some regions to famine and then new waves of migration. We do not hesitate to take the initiative to prevent this," Erdogan told reporters on Thursday on the presidential plane returning from a three-nation Gulf tour. "I believe that by discussing the issue in detail with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, we will ensure the continuation of this humanitarian movement," he added, hinting at Turkiye's […]]]> 654342 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-iraq-declares-sweden-ambassador-to-baghdad-persona-non-grata/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 15:04:38 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654177 Iraqi authorities, on Thursday, declared Sweden's ambassador to Baghdad 'persona non grata' following Swedish police permission for Quran burning in front of the Iraqi Embassy, ​​according to the Iraqi Premier's office, Anadolu Agency reports. Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al Sudani, directed his country's Foreign Ministry to recall its charge d'Affaires in Stockholm. The Iraqi Premier's office said on Twitter that Al Sudani also directed a request to the Swedish ambassador in Baghdad to leave the country. The move came "in response to the repeated permission of the Swedish government to burn copy of the holy Quran, insult Islamic sanctities and burn the Iraqi flag." Earlier on Thursday, Iraq threatened to sever its diplomatic relationship with Sweden if the desecration […]]]> 654177 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-quran-iraq-flag-desecrated-in-front-of-iraq-embassy-in-sweden/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 14:20:04 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654155 Sweden, on Thursday, saw yet another act of deliberate desecration of the Muslim holy book, the Quran. Despite protests of the official permission for previous acts of desecration, this provocation also took place under heavy police protection, Anadolu Agency reports. Standing in front of the Iraqi Embassy in the capital Stockholm, Salwan Momika, an Iraqi-born man who now lives in Sweden, threw both the Quran and the Iraqi flag on the ground and stepped on them, and then wiped his feet on them. He took the action after Iraqi protesters, on Thursday, stormed Sweden's Embassy in Baghdad in protest of the burning of a copy of the Quran last month – a burning also committed by Momika himself. The burning took […]]]> 654155 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-turkiye-issues-arrest-warrant-for-far-right-danish-politician-over-quran-burning/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 13:10:32 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654138 A Turkish Court issued an arrest warrant for Rasmus Paludan, a far-right Danish leader, following his controversial act of burning a copy of the Quran in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm, Anadolu Agency reports. The incident, which took place on 21 January, sparked outrage and condemnation across the Islamic world. The investigation launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against Paludan on the charge of "publicly insulting the religious values" is ongoing. As part of the investigation, the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office requested Paludan's arrest to obtain a statement regarding the Quran burning incident. READ: 'Those who burn books will in the end burn people,' warn Jewish, Muslim communities in Sweden The Ankara 8th Criminal Court of […]]]> 654138 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-iraq-hundreds-storm-swedish-embassy-and-set-it-on-fire/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 08:41:32 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654066 Hundreds of Iraqi protesters stormed the Swedish embassy in the capital, Baghdad, at dawn today, and set it on fire. Supporters of Muqtada Al-Sadr had called for a protest in front of the embassy to coincide with Salwan Momika's plan to burn the Quran in Sweden once again. Momika threatened to burn the Qur'an, along with the Iraqi flag, in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Sweden. However on Wednesday he announced that the Swedish authorities had withdrawn his police protection and asked him to stop criticising Muslims, noting that they threatened to review his asylum file in Sweden. READ: Egypt urges int'l community to take action to prevent Quran burning  The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the staff […]]]> 654066 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-turkiye-nato-agenda-sweden-bid-f-16s-and-war-mediation/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 19:00:15 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653785 Last week was, by all standards, a historical turning point for the relationship between Turkiye and its NATO allies. Three important developments were witnessed at the Vilnius summit. First, there was the long-awaited breakthrough in negotiations, which allowed Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to finally approve Sweden's membership. Secondly, the US had finally agreed to the sale of its F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye and, finally, Turkiye's offer to play a greater mediating role in the Ukraine-Russia was welcomed. Sweden's bid After more than a year of negotiations, Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, agreed to endorse Sweden's entry into NATO. Ankara had blocked Stockholm's membership bid over accusations that the Swedish government supported PKK terrorist groups and allowed Islamophobic campaigners to desecrate […]]]> 653785 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-sweden-committee-for-afghanistan-suspends-some-operations-after-taliban-order/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 14:46:49 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653808 The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, a major humanitarian organisation, has paused some of its operations, it said on Wednesday, after a Taliban order halting Swedish activities in the country, Reuters reports. The Taliban administration last week said all activities by Sweden in Afghanistan must stop in response to the burning of a Quran in Stockholm last month, but it was not clear which institutions the order would apply to. "Some activities of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA), have been paused," the aid group said in a statement, after seeking discussion with the Taliban administration. Thousands of Afghan staff work for the organisation throughout the country in health, education and rural development, and treated 2.5 million patients in its health clinics last […]]]> 653808 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230716-sweden-muslim-refrains-from-burning-torah-bible-despite-permission/ Sun, 16 Jul 2023 11:41:46 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652551 READ: EU has concrete plans to combat anti-Muslim hatred]]> 652551 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230715-egypt-religious-officials-respond-to-ben-gvir-remarks-on-extremist-islam/ Sat, 15 Jul 2023 10:35:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652399 Former head of the Fatwa Committee at Al-Azhar Al-Shareef, Sheikh Abdul Hamid Al-Atrash, on Friday slammed Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir over claiming that burning the Torah in Sweden is a result of "extremist Islam". Sweden gave permission early on Friday for a protest in front of the Israeli Embassy in Stockholm, during which protesters plan to burn copies of the Torah. "I was surprised to hear that the Swedish police approved the burning of a Jewish Bible in front of the Israeli Embassy under the pretext of 'free speech,'" Ben-Gvir said. "The damage to the sacred objects of Judaism is not freedom of expression, but antisemitism." READ: Israel condemns Sweden for allowing burning of copy of Torah He […]]]> 652399 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230715-chief-sweden-rabbi-burning-torah-not-antisemitic/ Sat, 15 Jul 2023 08:46:01 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652391 Leading Jewish Rabbi in Sweden Moshe David HaCohen has shared his view that burning a copy of the Torah is not an antisemitic act nor specifically targeted at Jews, Israeli Ynet News reported on Friday. "It is an attempt to challenge freedom of expression and exploit it for acts of hatred," HaCohen, who heads Amanah Muslim Jewish Partnership of Trust, explained. "The individual wants to see if the system is biased and whether it will permit the burning of the Bible just as it allowed the burning of the Quran. In Sweden, freedom of expression is considered a sacred value," HaCohen added. Earlier on Friday, Swedish police approved a local's request to burn the Bible on Saturday in front of […]]]> 652391 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230714-israel-condemns-sweden-for-allowing-burning-of-copy-of-torah/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 16:07:08 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652373 Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, strongly condemned the Swedish authorities on Friday for allowing the public burning of a copy of the Jewish holy book, Torah, while the Ashkenazi chief Rabbi also wrote to the Swedish Prime Minister, urging him to cancel the planned desecration on Saturday, Anadolu Agency reports. Earlier on Friday, the Swedish police granted permission for a public gathering on Saturday to burn Judaism's holy book, Torah, and a Bible in front of the Israeli embassy in Stockholm. According to the Israeli news website, i24, Israeli President, Isaac Herzog, strongly condemned the Swedish authorities for allowing the burning of holy books. "I unequivocally condemn the permission granted in Sweden to burn holy books. As President of the State […]]]> 652373 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230712-egypt-urges-intl-community-to-take-action-to-prevent-quran-burning/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:32:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651616 Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry yesterday condemned the repeated burning of the Holy Quran by extremists across Europe, calling for international action to prevent such provocations in the future, Al-Ahram Online reported Shoukry delivered a recorded speech to the urgent session of the UN Human Rights Council held in Geneva to discuss the escalation of acts of religious hatred and the repeated violations of the Holy Quran, most recently in Sweden. The Egyptian diplomat expressed concern and condemned the "repeated crimes of burning the Holy Quran at the hands of extremists." He stressed on the need to address hate crimes against Muslims and their religious symbols, prevent their recurrence and hold the perpetrators accountable. Shoukry said states must observe their obligations under […]]]> 651616 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-us-to-lift-ban-on-sale-of-f-16-jets-to-turkiye-with-sweden-bid/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 19:29:22 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651575 Washington will move ahead with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye in consultation with Congress, US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, said on Tuesday, a day after Ankara gave the green light for Sweden to join NATO, Reuters reports. According to the report, Turkiye, which had been the main stumbling block on Sweden's path towards the alliance, had requested in October 2021 to buy $20 billion of Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) F-16 fighters and nearly 80 modernisation kits for its existing warplanes. Speaking ahead of a summit of NATO leaders that started on Tuesday in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, Sullivan said US President Joe Biden "had been clear that he supports the transfer". "He has placed no caveats on this […]]]> 651575 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-nato-allies-welcome-agreement-between-turkiye-sweden-vilnius-summit-communique/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 17:54:09 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651569 NATO allies, on Tuesday, welcomed an agreement between Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, that paved the way for the Nordic country's entry into the military alliance, Reuters reports. "We look forward to welcoming Sweden as a full member of the Alliance and, in this regard, welcome the agreement reached between the NATO Secretary-General (Jens Stoltenberg), the President of Turkiye and the Prime Minister of Sweden," said a joint statement issued after day one of the ongoing NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. Turkiye, on Monday, agreed to send Sweden's NATO Accession Protocol to its Parliament for ratification. READ: Does Sweden provoke Turkiye to avoid joining NATO? The communiqué described the fight against terrorism as "essential" for […]]]> 651569 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-taliban-halt-sweden-activities-in-afghanistan-after-quran-burning/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 17:52:08 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651567 The Taliban administration halted all activities by Sweden in Afghanistan on Tuesday in response to the burning of a Quran in Stockholm last month, and a major Swedish aid group said it was seeking clarification about the impact on its programmes, Reuters reports. "After the insulting of the holy Quran and granting of permission for insulting of Muslim beliefs …The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is ordering the stopping of all activities of Sweden in Afghanistan," said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban administration, in a statement. An Iraqi immigrant to Sweden burned a Quran outside a Stockholm mosque last month, causing outrage in the Muslim world. Swedish officials have deplored the act but said they could not prevent it because of […]]]> 651567