Freedom of Speech vs Religious Tolerance Debate Reignited After Requests to Burn Scriptures in Sweden
- A request has been submitted to burn religious texts, including the Quran, Torah, and Bible, outside the Israeli embassy and a Stockholm mosque.
- The requests come after an Iraqi immigrant burned a Quran in Stockholm, sparking international criticism calling for laws against blasphemy while others defend free speech.
- Muslim nations urge Sweden to ban scripture burning, but liberal voices claim it should be protected as free expression.
- The religious symbol burnings threaten to complicate Sweden's NATO bid as Turkey protests perceived anti-Islamic acts.
- Swedish police are reviewing each request on a case-by-case basis as the government condemns intolerant acts but acknowledges freedoms of speech and assembly.