On Sunday, July 9th, 2023, thousands of demonstrators gathered in protest against the previous and most recent Quran burning incidents in Stockholm, Sweden. It all began at the central mosque in Medborgarplatsen, Stockholm, where Swedish Muslims, with their non-Muslim supportive brothers and sisters, walked side-by-side as they chorused words in the Swedish language (I will translate here): “Enough with the hate! Enough with the horror! Enough with the discrimination!”

Together, they even recited Quranic verses to show that the Quran will forever be within the Muslims’ hearts, physically burnt or not. Majority of Muslims have many Quranic verses memorized, which keep them completely in sync with one another, showing their perseverance despite the prejudice they experience on a daily basis, not just in Sweden, but also worldwide. Some held up signs, while others held up their personal copies of the Quran.

Mahmoud Khalfi, Imam and Director of Stockholm’s Central Mosque, said to Swedish media in Swedish (I translate here), “About 4000 people have gathered here today to show their solidarity and to show how one can react peacefully and democratically.” Together with the Islamic Association/Federation of Sweden, they arranged the proper paperwork and attained written permission from the police to hold this peaceful demonstration.

Those who are unfamiliar with or are in need of reminding as towards why Swedish Muslims felt this protest was necessary, it all began when Police gave permission to a far right Danish-Swedish politician, Rasmus Paludan, to hold a Quran burning demonstration. “Sweden believes in free speech” is the most common response roaring through Swedish media when the Police are confronted with the question as towards why they would allow anti-Quran protests to occur. Since then, there have been many debates across the nation about whether or not such an act can be considered free speech or hate speech (which is illegal in Sweden): (Swedish Penal Code 16 § 8) and unlawful discrimination (Swedish Penal Code 16 § 9) because the hate motive is embedded in the nature of the crimes. The hate crime legislation also applies on the internet. In other words, hate speech includes publicly making statements that threaten or disrespect a specific person or group of people based on their ethnicity, race, skin color, faith or sexual orientation.

Since Paludan had begun burning the Quran in 2020, he had been banned from entering Sweden again from Denmark. However, the ban was lifted when he was given Swedish citizenship through his father. Most recently, a 37-year-old Iraqi-Swede named, Salwan Momika, who was given permission by the Police to demonstrate against the Quran, burned a Quran outside of Stockholm’s largest and most central mosque. Now, he is being charged with hate speech and burning a Quran when campfires and barbecue/grill parties are banned in public spaces due to recent wildfires in Sweden.

Quran-burning incidents have severed ties between Sweden and Muslim nations such as Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and Yemen. These Muslim nations have also held anti-Quran burning protests.

According to the Quran, Muslims believe in tolerating other religions and never disrespecting them because there is no compulsion in Islam. So Swedish Muslims are peacefully demanding, “Enough with the hate! Enough with the horror! Enough with the discrimination!”

About the Author:

Rumki Chowdhury is Editor of World Hijab Day Organization. Moreover, she is a professional editor and an award-winning published author and poet. She has an MA in English Literature from Queen Mary University of London, a BA in English Writing from William Paterson University of New Jersey and an English Subject Teaching Degree from Gävle Högskolan in Stockholm, Sweden. She speaks Bengali and Swedish fluently! She has years of experience in the media and publishing worlds. Rumki lives with her husband and their three daughters.

Instagram and Facebook @rumkitheauthor

Twitter @rumkichowdhury

The post Anti-Quran Burning Protest in Stockholm appeared first on World Hijab Day.

Many were injured and continue to be injured as violent riots break out across Sweden following “Quran-burning” demonstrations.

The police were criticized for issuing a permit to notorious Danish-Swedish politician and racist, Stram Kurs Paludan, who led the protests. Authorities claimed that it was Paludan’s right to express his opinions, which is not illegal in Sweden. Although, as Sweden is known for abolishing censorship and allows freedom of speech, child pornography, hate speech and libel are still prohibited under Swedish law. Therefore, Muslims across Sweden are petitioning for Paludan’s act of burning the quran to be considered a “hate crime.”

Paludan is part of a far-right group and has been burning qurans during racist demonstrations in Sweden, since 2020. Paludan has a history of racist offences that have earned him jail-time in Denmark, in the past. He plans on running for government, but is still short on the votes necessary to become a candidate in the elections.

His “Quran-burning” protests have taken place in the past week, during Easter holidays, Passover and Ramadan, across the Swedish cities of Malmö, Norrköping and Linköping. The outrage against all police has even reached Stockholm. As the violence continues, authorities and experts are debating whether or not Paludan should be allowed to demonstrate at all, whether or not this is considered a “hate crime” and whether or not he should be charged for burning anything in the first place, leading to hazardous fire spreading across neighborhoods and destroying vicinities.

In the process of these protests, not only have there been violence, but also, the burning of the Quran has led to the fire spreading across vehicles and nearby buildings including the Rosengård School, also known as the childhood school that world-famous Swedish footballer, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, attended.

Saudi Arabia, Iran and Iraq are just a few of the Muslim countries asking Sweden to condemn the “Quran burnings.”

According to the Swedish Radio and SVT News, Paludan’s main goal is to provoke Muslims into reacting in a violent manner. It is unfortunate that he has succeeded in doing so especially during Ramadan, which is meant to be a peaceful holiday. However, it is also unfortunate that while Denmark put Paludan in jail for his racist remarks, we have Sweden allowing him to continue with his hate speech. That is not to justify the actions of those inciting or getting involved in violent clashes against the police. That is simply stating the facts!

I urge Muslims to practice sabr, the Arabic word for “patience” and respond to provocation with prayer and petition.

Trust in God’s plan. After all, it is stated in the Quran, 49:10, “Humanity is but a single brotherhood: So make peace with your brethren.”

My fellow Swedish Muslims, if you have gotten the petition to sign which dubs Paludan’s action as a “hate crime,” then sign it. If you have not gotten it yet, DM me. I will send it to you إِنْ شَاءَ ٱللَّٰهُ (God Willing).

Help us raise awareness:

1. Donate to the World Hijab Day Organization this coming Ramadan. Your contributions will help our efforts to end hijab discrimination globally! One who gives alms during the month Ramadan will be multiplied in rewards to 10 until 700 folds. Don’t miss this opportunity! Donate here.

2. #FastForUnity: Fast for a day, two, ten or all 30 with Muslims to experience how Muslims fast and go on a spiritual journey of self-reflection and self-discipline.

3. #Hijab30: Wear the hijab for 30 days in Ramadan to take a stand to end discrimination against women in hijab and respect individual choices.

4. #HearOurHistory: May is “International Muslim History Month.” Take this opportunity to learn more about Muslim men and women from the Golden Age up until now, who have shaped humanity as we know it.

Tag us @worldhijabday

About the Author

Rumki Chowdhury is Editor of World Hijab Day Organization. Moreover, she has her own editing services. She is an award-winning published author. She has an MA in English Literature from Queen Mary University of London, a BA in English Writing from William Paterson University of New Jersey and an English Subject Teaching Degree from Gävle Högskolan in Stockholm, Sweden. She speaks Bengali and Swedish fluently! She has years of experience in the media and publishing worlds. Rumki lives with her husband and their three daughters. Follow her journey on Instagram @rumkitheauthor

The post FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION OR “HATE CRIME” IN SWEDEN? appeared first on World Hijab Day.

I reverted to Islam on  April 24, 2015. And I started wearing the hijab two weeks after I took my Shahada (testimony of Islamic faith). It wasn’t easy for me because my family is against my decision to become a Muslim. One of my daughters even told me that she doesn’t want to have anything to do with me. My mom cried and begged me to leave Islam. But I know Islam is the true religion and I thank Allah that I have been chosen to be one of His servants.

I believe that one day my family will accept me and insha Allah they will be reverted too in Islam. I am proud to be a Muslim and I show it by covering myself and using my hijab.

The post My mom begged me to leave Islam appeared first on World Hijab Day.