A PROTEST took place today outside the Swedish embassy in Kuala Lumpur over the burning of a Quran in Sweden by far-right politician Rasmus Paludan.

Representatives of the groups involved also submitted a memorandum to the embassy.

Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisations Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid was reported by Bernama as saying the protest note had been handed over to a representative of Joachim Bergstrom, Sweden’s ambassador to Malaysia.

“We ask that (the Swedish government) acknowledges what happened over there was dangerous, even if it were in the name of freedom,” he said at a press conference after handing over the note at the Swedish embassy on Jalan Mayang Sari today.

Eye-witnesses said around 300 people had gathered to take part in the protest, which was held after Friday prayers.

The protest was partly organised by Perikatan Nasional.

The crowd carried banners and chanted “long live Islam, long live the Quran” as they marched from As-Syakirin Mosque in Kuala Lumpur City Centre to the embassy.

Bersatu deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu was seen in the crowd.

Yesterday, a Bernama report said Malaysia would not tolerate the act of burning religious text or books – including the Quran, the Bible, and Hindu texts – as Malaysians respect each other’s rights.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reportedly lambasted Paludan’s action of burning a Quran in Sweden, and said there is much misunderstanding and prejudice towards religions all over the world, including towards Islam.

On Sunday, Anwar urged the Swedish government to take immediate action against the heinous act and establish drastic measures in the future to address growing Islamophobia in Sweden.

Paludan, who is from Danish political party Stram Kurs (Hard Line), was granted permission to burn the Quran on Saturday outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm, which invoked the ire of Muslims all over the world. – January 27, 2023.