UAE summons Swedish Ambassador over extremist protest

The UAE has summoned the Swedish Ambassador to protest the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran in Stockholm.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Swedish government for allowing the protest to go ahead, and refused to accept freedom of speech as a context for such actions.

The UAE stressed that Sweden disregarded its international responsibilities and demonstrated a lack of respect for social values, emphasising the importance of monitoring hate speech and expressions of racism that negatively impact peace and security. 

Liselott Andersson, Sweden's ambassador to the UAE was handed a note of protest by Aisha bint Suwaidan Al Suwaidi, Director of the European Affairs Department at the Ministry.

The note stressed the need to respect religious symbols and avoid incitement and polarisation at a time when the international community needs to work together to reaffirm a commitment to upholding the universal principles of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. The note also emphasised that these principles should be promoted and implemented to achieve stability, and sustainable development.

The burning of the copy of the Holy Quran took place in Sweden's capital, Stockholm, on Wednesday, the first day of Eid.

وزارة الخارجية تستدعي سفيرة السويد و تبلغها احتجاج الدولة واستنكارها الشديدين لسماح حكومة السويد لمتطرفين في العاصمة ستوكهولم بحرق نسخة من القرآن الكريم، وتهربها من مسؤوليتها الدولية وعدم احترام القيم الاجتماعية في هذا الصدد وتسلمها مذكرة احتجاج.. وعبرت عن رفض دولة #الإمارات… pic.twitter.com/VkmQBVYKqT

— وكالة أنباء الإمارات (@wamnews) June 29, 2023