Dozens Arrested in Sweden Riots over Planned Quran Burning

Violent clashes took place in Sweden after a group of far-right extremists threatened to burn copies of the Quran during the holy month of Ramadan.

Swedish police arrested 26 people from cities of Norrkoping and Linkoping amid the widespread protests, while at least 40 people, including 26 police officers, have been injured.

Up to 100 mostly young people threw stones at police, set cars, tires and dustbins on fire, and put up a barrier fence that obstructed traffic, authorities said.

The situation had calmed down in the town by late Saturday but remained tense, police said, adding no injuries were reported.

The rally in question had been organised by the Danish anti-immigration Stram Kurs party and its leader Rasmus Paludan.

Since Thursday, clashes have been reported also in Stockholm and in the cities of Linkoping and Norrkoping — all locations where Stram Kurs either planned or held demonstrations.

This incident comes among the extreme right-wing practices that incite against immigrants in general and Muslims in particular.

The far-right rallies in Sweden have sparked condemnation from Muslim countries, including Egypt, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.

Egypt stressed the need to respect the right to freedom of religion and belief as a basic human right, calling for upholding the common denominators of tolerance, acceptance of others and peaceful coexistence among peoples.