Desecrated Quran discovered at mosque in Sweden

Stockholm: Officials at the Stockholm Mosque reported a disturbing racist and Islamophobic incident on Sunday, after discovering a desecrated copy of the Holy Quran chained to the mosque’s stair railings.

The Quran bore six bullet holes, and messages in Arabic and Swedish reading, “Thanks for the visit, but it’s time to go home,” were scrawled on it, according to TRT report.

Mahmud al Halefi, chairman of the Stockholm Mosque, condemned the attack, stating that such incidents targeting Muslims have been increasing in Sweden.

“This act was deeply offensive and part of a broader pattern of anti-Muslim hatred. We urge authorities to take firm action against hate crimes and ensure the safety of religious communities,” he said.

Swedish police have launched an investigation into the incident, which comes amid heightened tensions over previous high-profile Quran desecrations.

In 2023, Salwan Momika, an Iraqi man, publicly burned and desecrated copies of the Quran in Stockholm, including outside the parliament, the Stockholm Mosque, and the Iraqi embassy.

These acts, conducted under police protection, triggered international outrage, protests, and strained Sweden’s diplomatic relations.

Although Momika was killed in early 2024 before a verdict could be reached, authorities and human rights groups have warned that Islamophobic attacks in Sweden and other Nordic countries continue to rise, underscoring ongoing concerns about the safety of Muslim communities.