Nigerian Muslim Ummah condemns burning of Qur’an in Stockholm, Sweden

*Accuses Swedish police of encouraging Islamaphobia in country, despite its claim of intelligence, civilisation,

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

The worldwide condemnations of recent burning of the Holy Qur’an in Stockholm, Sweden have reached Nigeria, where the Muslim Ummah expresses concerns and demands for action against the act it describes as provocative.

The concerns came in a statement by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) “under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, on behalf of the entire Nigerian Muslim Ummah.”

The Council, in the statement by its Deputy Secretary General Profedsor Salisu Shehu, with reference number NSCIA/HQ/PRS/047, dated 20th Dhul-Hijjah 1444 A.H. equivalent to 8th July 2023 and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER on Saturday, joined other well-meaning leaders and individuals across the world in condemning, “in the strongest terms, the provocative and blasphemous act of burning the Glorious Qur’an in front of the main Mosque in Stockholm, Sweden.”

To the Nigerian Muslim Ummah, the act in Stockholm is abominable and heinous, as it described the burning of the Qur’an that is symbol of the Islamic faith as “a clear affirmation of the growing high level of Islamophobia while evidencing the impunity of Islamophobes whose hatred for Islam and Muslims knows no bound.”

According to the statement, “Actions and utterances credited to these Islamophobes smack of gross insensitivity, and disrespect for the feelings and sensibilities of nearly two billion Muslims in the World.

“This is one too many attacks on Mosques in Sweden, especially recalling that of 2015 and another in December 2022, following which a damaged copy of the Qur’an was left chained up and hanging outside the entrance of the Mosque.

“It is ironical that a blasphemous act of the current magnitude would be allowed in a country often celebrated as one of the most peaceful in the entire Europe.”

The Council is particularly shocked that the supposedly intelligent and civilised Swedish Police would fail to restrain, thereby tacitly granting permission for an individual to carry out such an obvious offensive and provocative act of burning a Holy Book.

“This seemingly without regard to the consequences or its potential to result in or snowball into a religious crisis not only in Sweden or Europe but also across the world. This begs the question for a determination of the insensitivity or culpability of the Swedish Police in this matter.

“It is pertinent to state here that Sweden and its fellow European countries that allow and, in some cases, even try to justify blasphemy and desecration of Islamic religious symbols under the guise of freedom of speech, should know that Muslims all over the World are consciously and critically observant of their hypocrisy and double standards.

“By all measures, European countries that permit or tacitly support sacrilegious acts against Islamic symbols of faith and veneration have fallen short of justice, fairness, honour and decorum.

“They have caused irredeemable damage to their image as civilized and humane nations. In the eyes of the Muslim World, their proclamation of democracy, human rights, freedom of religion and similar grand standing postures are nothing but a façade.”

In the meant, the Nigerian Islamic Council has called on the Swedish authorities to as a matter of urgency investigate the matter, make the report public, and ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done.

“Meanwhile, the Council enjoins the Ummah across the world to remain calm and continue to be peaceful and law-abiding in the face of this provocation. Furthermore, the Council acknowledges and commends the proactive and strong response made by Turkiye, Morocco and other Muslim countries on this matter.

“Once more, the Council reiterates the fact that no Holy Book should be desecrated and disrespected in such manner as recurring in Sweden. It is our strongest and surest belief that Sweden would never allow its National flag to be burnt in such ignoble manner, not to talk of burning the Bible.

“May Almighty Allah continue to grant the world peace and stability,” it prayed.