Sweden is facing a crisis following a recent spate of provocative protests during which activists burnt or defaced the Quran. The crisis highlights the country’s dilemma between allowing freedom of speech and its international reputation, at a time of heightened tensions. Unlike most Western nations, Sweden has no caveats on blasphemy in their freedom of expression laws. Domestically, the government struggles to balance its reputation for welcoming migrants with the rise of far-right parties. The crisis has angered Muslim countries and threatens to provoke civil unrest against Swedish diplomatic missions and interests overseas. In extremis, Turkiye could use the events to further delay Sweden’s accession to NATO.
Recent Quran Burnings in Sweden
On June 28, Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee, burnt a Quran outside the Stockholm Mosque, claiming that the Muslim holy book “encourages violence.” The same man stomped on a Quran outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm on July 20 and burnt another one in front of Sweden's Parliament on July 31. Quran-burning is not a new form of protest in Sweden; far-right activists conducted similar events in 2020 and 2022, prompting violent riots nationwide.
The current crisis has not yet caused civil unrest among Muslim minorities in Sweden but has sparked a stronger international reaction. The Swedish government has responded strongly. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that he would explore legal ways to prevent further incidents and blamed external actors for exploiting the international security situation. He accused Russia of orchestrating online disinformation that falsely claims the Swedish government is supporting Quran burnings.
Evolution of Sweden’s Migration Policy
Sweden has an impressive reputation for welcoming refugees and migrants. Between 2013-15, it accepted the most asylum seekers per capita in the EU. However, increasing crime levels in immigrant communities, and increased far-right activism, have driven changes in government policy. In the 2022 general elections, the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats party gained 20 percent of the vote. Prime Minister Kristersson is leader of the Moderates party but relies on support from the Sweden Democrats as part of the four-party coalition that forms the government. The “Tido agreement” that was concluded between the parties reaffirmed the trend, begun in 2015, toward a tighter migration policy. The government itself stated that “Sweden’s migration policy is undergoing a paradigm shift.”
The inclusion of the Sweden Democrats in the government coalition, and the threat of tougher immigration policies, may partly explain the lack of violent protest in Sweden following the Quran burning. Muslim citizens might fear being expelled or a limitation of their rights due to migrant-attributed violence. Instead, immigrant communities are heeding the Prime Minister’s call for calm, and may recognize that only a tiny minority are responsible for these provocative actions. Indeed, the Swedish Migration Agency announced it was reviewing the refugee status of protest organizer Salwan Momika.
International Reactions
Diplomatic relations between Sweden and Muslim countries have been damaged by the Quran-burnings. The incidents have triggered protests in several countries, including violent protests around Sweden's Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, leading to property damage and arson. Iraq expelled Sweden’s ambassador and recalled its charge d’affaires on July 20. Other Muslim countries have condemned the Quran desecrations in Sweden, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened an urgent meeting to request action against Islamophobia. On Aug. 1, a Turkish staff member of the Swedish honorary consulate in Izmir, Turkiye, was shot and injured by a Turkish man. The relation between the shooting and the Quran burnings was not established yet but it did participate to increase tensions between Sweden and Turkiye.
Swedish businesses located abroad, especially in Muslim countries, are at increased risk. Swedish officials and nationals living in Muslim countries might be targeted for reprisals, and embassies and their staff could face violent riots and terror attacks if Quran burnings continue. Security is likely to be tightened around diplomatic premises. Swedish businesses could face sanctions from their country of residence, boycotts of products and services, and property damage from protesters.
Domestic Reactions
Swedish officials did not sanction the Quran desecration, but Swedish law guarantees freedom of speech. Stockholm is caught in a dilemma between guaranteeing the right to free speech and ensuring domestic security. The Prime Minister announced in a press conference on Aug. 1 that they will consider amending the Public Order Act without restricting freedom of expression.
The security environment in Sweden is at risk of deteriorating. The threat of terrorism and violent civil unrest has increased and will escalate further if more Quran burnings take place. Sweden has received several new applications for demonstrations including the provocative burning of other holy books including the Bible and the Torah. Protesters have staged peaceful demonstrations in recent days; however, overnight on July 31, some social media accounts called for nationwide violent protests in revenge for the Quran burnings.
There is also an increased risk of terrorist attacks from international terrorist groups based in the Middle East, encouraged by disinformation disseminated by Russia and other hostile countries. Swedish security authorities will likely maintain heightened vigilance and will likely deploy additional police to any potential protest. Authorities have introduced stricter border controls over fears of an increased external threat. Foreign travelers may be subject to increased scrutiny at border crossings, as well as within the country.
The Future of Sweden’s NATO Membership
At the Vilnius NATO Summit in July, Turkiye’s president Erdogan agreed to present Sweden’s delayed NATO membership bid to his parliament this autumn for approval. Erdogan had blocked Sweden’s accession to NATO for over a year, accusing Sweden of harboring Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) activists that Turkiye considers to be terrorists. Stockholm recently made concessions for Turkiye’s approval, including strengthening terrorism prevention aimed at Kurdish refugees, and supporting the normalization of Turkiye’s relations with the EU for customs agreement and visa-free travel.
Turkiye has publicly criticized Sweden for allowing the Quran burnings and urged it to act to prevent further incidents. The Turkish government, with its increasing authoritarian and Islamist leanings and depending on a far-right populist party for the ruling coalition, could yet impede Sweden’s NATO membership. Erdogan’s own complex relationship with Russia, and the need to maintain a tough stance against the PKK, could also influence the NATO accession process. It remains possible that Sweden’s future in the NATO alliance may be threatened by these acts perpetrated by a small number of people.
Conclusion
Sweden has been confronted by the actions of a tiny minority that sparked international outrage. It has exposed the dilemma in a progressive country between freedom of expression and the danger of blasphemy offending local communities and international partners. It has come at a time of international tension as well as domestic policy changes regarding immigration, and will likely exacerbate both. That Sweden is considering changing a law in relation to the right to freedom of speech, demonstrates its determination to maintain good relations with Turkiye and other Muslim countries.
