The Taliban has announced the suspension of all Swedish activities in Afghanistan, citing the recent burning of a copy of the Quran in Sweden as the reason for their decision, Daryo correspondent in Afghanistan reports.
In a statement released on July 11, the Taliban condemned the act and demanded an apology from Sweden for what they called an "evil deed" that insulted Muslims.
The controversial incident took place on June 28 when Swedish police permitted a man to burn pages of the Quran in front of a mosque in Stockholm. The police justified their decision by emphasizing the importance of protecting freedom of expression. The man involved in the incident, originally from Iraq, is currently under investigation for "incitement against an ethnic group."
Reacting strongly to the incident, the Taliban's declaration called the burning of the Quran "absurd" and stated that it constituted an insult to Muslims. The group has ordered the suspension of all Swedish activities in Afghanistan until an apology is issued. Additionally, the Taliban urged other countries, particularly Islamic nations, to reconsider their relationships with Sweden in light of the incident.
Sweden does not currently maintain a diplomatic mission in Afghanistan and has had no direct contact with the Taliban government. However, various Swedish institutions, including the Swedish Committee, have been engaged in providing aid and assistance to those in need in Afghanistan. As a result of the Taliban's directive, these aid activities will now be halted.
Comments (0)