Freedom of speech no excuse to trigger clash of civilizations

Thousands of Iraqis protested in Baghdad on Saturday over the burning or desecration of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark. Similar protests have been reported from across the Islamic world.

On Friday, a man torched a book purported to be the Quran at a square across the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark. The action was livestreamed on Facebook, where one could see the book burning in a tin foil tray next to the Iraqi flag on the ground. This happened less than a month after a Christian refugee of Iraqi origin tore up and trampled on a copy of the Quran in front of a mosque in Stockholm on June 28.

Many Islamic nations have protested against Sweden and Denmark allowing the desecration of the Quran under the pretext of freedom of speech. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei even said that those desecrating the Quran should face the "most severe punishment" and that by defending the perpetrators Sweden was gearing up for "war" against Muslims.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador and recalled the Iraqi charge d'affaires in Sweden, even warning to cut off diplomatic relations with Sweden if there were any more such burnings. Iraq has also revoked the license of Ericsson in Iraq, although the Swedish company said it is opposed to the burning of the Quran.

The desecration of the Quran has exacerbated the rift between the West and Islamic nations. It has also created uncertainties for Sweden's accession to NATO. Although, under pressure from the United States, Turkiye agreed to let Sweden join NATO, it lies to be seen how the Islamic nation reacts to the book burning in Sweden.

Although the Swedish government is opposed to the desecration, Swedish courts uphold the behavior on grounds of the freedom of speech. The West should know that different civilizations should respect each other.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin strongly condemned the desecration of the Quran, reiterating that China advocates mutual respect, inclusiveness and mutual learning among civilizations and opposes all forms of Islamophobia. China is ready to work with the international community to implement the Global Civilization Initiative, and jointly safeguard the diversity of world civilizations. Any "freedom of speech" should not serve as an excuse to incite a clash of civilizations.