(WASHINGTON, D.C., 1/24/2023) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged the Swedish government to “clearly” condemn anti-Muslim bigotry and treat all acts of hate equally after a far-right extremist burned a Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm with government authorization on Sunday.
In a letter sent to Swedish Ambassador Karin Olofsdotter today, CAIR said in part:
“CAIR requests that the government of Sweden condemn this most recent case of a far-right extremist burning the Quran with the same seriousness that it responds to all other acts of hate and bigotry. The government of Sweden should clearly state that it condemns Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate in all its forms, including the desecration of the Quran.
“We also recommend that the government of Sweden supplement the work of its Discrimination Ombudsman’s office by appointing a civil servant responsible for combatting, monitoring, reporting on, and diffusing Islamophobic bias incidents and hate crimes.
“Such an appointment could address the continuing rise in anti-Muslim sentiment in Sweden and respond to future anti-Muslim acts. In doing so, CAIR urges the government of Sweden to directly engage with Swedish Muslim civil society organizations and community members when responding to such acts of hate.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected] CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]