More than 90,000 articles have been written about the Koran burning in Stockholm that occurred last week. Many of these articles are declaring Sweden as Islamophobic. The action has led to international public protests, storming of embassies, burning of the Swedish flag, and condemnation from everyone from Turkey’s Erdogan to the Pope.
So, is this true? Is liberal-minded, egalitarian Sweden, in fact Islamophobic? Like everything the answer lies in your definition, and perspective.
It all boils down to understanding Swedish freedom of speech. In Sweden, you are allowed to publicly comment on, demonstrate against and criticize anything.
Influential powers such as the royal family, industry giants or organized religions cannot legally stop or influence this.
In Sweden, you are free to follow any religion you want. Likewise you are free to criticize any religion you want. That is the basis of democracy in Sweden.
With this understanding, you can see how the burning of any religious scripture is allowed and not, per se, limited only to the Koran.
So you have to separate the law from ethics. This is why the Swedish government condemns the action but at the same time defends self expression.
That said, there are other laws in Sweden that restrict public speech. For example, if it is considered hate speech, or incitement to violence, or against the interests of national security.
In the case of the recent Koran burning, outside a mosque on the first day of Eid, and with today’s political instability, one can seriously question the police’s choice to allow a such a demonstration to occur. Personally, I think it shows a poor sense of judgement and disregard for public safety and national security. But it wasn’t illegal, and fully in line with freedom of speech.
So, is Sweden islamophobic? From this one action, no. If you want to burn a bible or the tora, you can. Is Sweden Islamophobic in other regards? Maybe. Were the actions of the individual demonstrator islamophobic? Maybe, although he himself is Muslim. He claims his action to be politically motivated.
Time will tell what the outcome is of this. The man who carried out the act is currently living under police security, and amongst other things is being charged with starting a fire during a fire ban.
Watching the Swedes 
This is quite a thin interrogation of the titular question.
Hi Erich, Im a bit limited in how much I can write – to make it readable. But you are quite right, the subject deserves a much deeper analysis.
Most swedes know the quote:
“ it was something he must do, even if it was dangerous. “Why?” I wondered. “Otherwise you’re not a human being but just a piece of dirt”
From the children book The Brothers Lionheart by Astrid Lindgren (1973). Astrid Lindgren is maybe more famous as the beloved author of the three Pippi Longstocking books.
And that is probably why we swedes are ready to defend Voltaire’s idea of freedom of speech as it was presented in this quote by Evelyn Beatrice Hall
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”.
Yes Lars, the action can be carried out as part of freedom of expression. And others have the right to criticize and condemn it.
Haha ha…Really? Do you believe in what you are saying? Such argumentations ,tipically are the masterpieces of the hypocrisy of the classical western mind.
What about the condamnations of the burning the books as a crime against liberty of expression? As a fasciste act? As a nazist ritual ? First they burned the books then the humans.Do you remember?
But its not surprising. You are indeed the heir of St Paul , who incited new converted christians to burn their pagan books.
What a pity .You just lose your respectability .Continue like that.Ists not so different from any radicalists mind.
As I wrote Muzo, it depends on your definition and perspective. I didn’t say that I agree with the action, I only tried to explain the context that it is based in. Sweden is a primarily secular country, and the law comes from that angle. Politicians and many other people in Sweden have vehemently condemned it as an insensitive and inappropriate action. But it is not illegal.