Profanation of the Quran and terrorist threat

Sweden faces international condemnation

Terrorist Threat

Sweden has been at the centre of a series of desecrations of the Quran by anti-Muslim activists, drawing strong international condemnation. These acts have led the national security apparatuses, such as Säkerhetspolisen (SÄPO), to increase the assessment of the terrorist threat in the country, assigning it a value of 4 on a maximum scale of 5.

Sweden is considered a potential target for terrorist attacks, and this recent series of desecrations has raised national security concerns. Not only Sweden, but also the Nordic countries, including Denmark, have faced a backlash from Muslim countries as a result of theseprovocative acts.

On 7th April, 2017, the city of Stockholm was rocked by a dramatic terrorist attack that killed 5 people and injured 15 others. A stolen truck was driven at full speed on the pedestrian street of Drottninggatan, running over passers-by and destroying shop windows and shops. The perpetrator, Rakhmat Akilov, an Uzbek asylum seeker, confessed that he planned the attack to avenge the bombing of ISIS and that he received direct orders from members of the terrorist group in Syria.

Denmark is currently working to introduce a law that protects the desecration of sacred texts, recognizing the importance of maintaining respect for different religious faiths. By contrast, burning the Quran is currently permitted in Sweden, a fact that has helped fuel hatred and violence in the Nordic country, especially by extremist groups.

Minaccia terroristica

La situazione attuale rende la Svezia vulnerabile e potenzialmente soggetta a possibili attacchi terroristici. Pertanto, i paesi nordici dell’Europa orientale stanno adottando tutte le procedure legislative e preventive necessarie per garantire la stabilità e la sicurezza dei loro cittadini. La cooperazione internazionale e gli sforzi congiunti sono fondamentali per contrastare questa minaccia e preservare la pace nella regione.

Last week, the UK's Foreign Office warned citizens to avoid visiting Sweden due to an increase in the possibility of attacks following Islamophobic demonstrations.

In the travel advice update, the United Kingdom said that Sweden had effectively thwarted some planned attacks and made arrests. However, the ministry warned the traveling British: "Be vigilant in this period ... Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Sweden“.

Sweden, together with the other Nordic countries, must face this challenge with determination and take adequate measures to protect national security and promote peaceful coexistence between different religious communities. Only through unity and mutual respect will it be possible to overcome this difficult phase and build a more harmonious future for all.

Editorial