Muslim holy book defaced in racist attack on Stockholm Mosque
Copy of Quran bearing six bullet holes was found chained to railings of stairs along with note reading ‘it’s time to go home’
A follower of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr holds Quran as they protest against the act of Quran burning, in Baghdad, Iraq on July 21, 2023. Salwan Momika burned a copy of the Muslim holy book under police protection in front of the Stockholm Mosque in Sweden last month, which was widely condemned in Muslim countries.
STOCKHOLM
A racist attack targeted the Stockholm Mosque in Sweden, with mosque officials saying a defaced copy of the Muslim holy book was discovered at the site on Sunday.
In a statement, the mosque’s administration said a copy of the Holy Quran, with six bullet holes, was found chained to the railings of the stairs.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Mahmud al-Halefi, chairman of the Stockholm Mosque, said Islamophobic and racist attacks have been increasing day by day in Sweden. He noted that police have launched an investigation and that the incident has sparked strong reactions within the Muslim community.
Condemning the attack, Halefi said: “A copy of the Quran was chained to the railing next to the stairs leading to the mosque, and it had six bullet holes. There were also messages written in Arabic and Swedish on the Quran saying, ‘Thanks for the visit, but it’s time to go home.’ We perceived this message as an explicit racist statement targeting Muslims.
Halefi stressed that the act was deeply offensive and part of a broader pattern of anti-Muslim hatred, calling on authorities to take firm measures against hate crimes and ensure the safety of religious communities.
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