Sweden Quran burning sparks anger across Muslim world

Several Muslim-majority countries have condemned the burning of a copy of the Quran in Sweden at a protest.

Salwan Momika, said to be an Iraqi living in Sweden,set fire to a copy of the Muslim text in front of Stockholm's central mosque on Wednesday.

Middle Eastern nations including Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt strongly criticised the burning.

And Turkey, a Nato member with a say over whether Sweden gains membership, called it a "despicable act".

Muslims consider the Quran the sacred word of God and view any intentional damage or show of disrespect towards it as deeply offensive.

The Quran burning on Wednesday took place as Muslims around the world celebrated the first day of Eid al-Adha, one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar.

Swedish police had given Mr Momika a permit for the protest, in accordance with free-speech laws. But later police said the incident was being investigated for incitement of hatred.

The protest sparked anger among other nations too.

Morocco has recalled its ambassador to Stockholm and summoned Sweden's charge d'affaires in Rabat.

Iraq said the incident was "a reflection of a hateful aggressive spirit that has nothing to do with freedom of expression."

Iran echoed Iraq's criticism, calling the act of burning the Quran "provocative" and "unacceptable", while Egypt described it as a "shameful" act which was especially provocative as Muslims mark Eid al-Adha.

Saudi Arabia - the destination of around 1.8m worshippers on the annual Hajj pilgrimage this week - said "these hateful and repeated acts cannot be accepted with any justification."

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the Quran burning was "legal but not appropriate".

Plans to burn copies of the Quran have sparked riots in Sweden in recent months.

Police had rejected similar protest applications recently, but courts then ruled that they should be allowed on freedom of expression grounds.