Saudi Arabia Condemns Sweden for Allowing Extremist to Burn Quran

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Sweden for Allowing Extremist to Burn Quran

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned on Saturday Swedish authorities for allowing an extremist to burn a copy of the holy Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm.

It underscored the Kingdom’s firm position that calls for the importance of spreading the values of dialogue, coexistence and shunning hatred and extremism.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also strongly condemned the burning of the Quran.

OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha warned that such repeated acts by far-right extremists target Muslims and offend their sacred values.

They are another example of an alarming degree of Islamophobia, intolerance and xenophobia, he added.

He called on Swedish authorities to take the necessary measures against the perpetrators of this hate crime.

He also urged the intensification of international efforts that would prevent such acts from taking place in the future and to show solidarity against Islamophobia.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf slammed the burning of the Quran, saying it will “provoke Muslim across the globe”.

He underlined the GCC’s firm stance that calls for the importance of spreading the values of dialogue, tolerance and peaceful coexistence and shunning hatred and extremism.

He urged the international community to assume its responsibilities and prevent such acts from taking place.

The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned the “absurd, provocative and disgraceful” burning of the Quran.

MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa warned of the repercussions of such hate acts that only serve extremism.

He added that such reckless behavior abuses the concept of freedoms and their human values.

Moreover, he stressed that such barbaric acts will only increase the faith of Muslims and their steadfastness in their values that always call for peace and coexistence.



GCC, Council of Europe Discuss Enhancing Strategic Partnership

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
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GCC, Council of Europe Discuss Enhancing Strategic Partnership

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met on Wednesday with Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.

Albudaiwi and Berset explored ways to enhance the Gulf-European strategic partnership to advance mutual interests.

They also discussed the Joint Action Program 2022-2027 between the GCC and the EU, which outlines effective mechanisms and proposals for collaboration across various sectors, including political, security, and economic areas.

AlBudaiwi also met Wednesday with South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-Kyu in Davos.

They discussed several topics, most notably the developments related to the free-trade agreement between the GCC countries and South Korea, and ways to enhance Gulf-South Korean partnerships in various vital sectors that contribute to creating new opportunities for constructive cooperation.

The meeting also addressed enhancing strategic dialogue with South Korea through the fields of cooperation outlined in the joint action plan between the GCC and South Korea.