Sweden's Special Envoy Suspended by Organization of Islamic Cooperation for Quran Desecration

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has suspended Sweden's special envoy over a series of Quran burnings in Stockholm that led to protests in Muslim countries. The suspension was due to the granting of licenses by Swedish authorities that allowed the desecration of the Quran and Islamic symbols. An Iraqi man in Sweden, of Christian origin and self-proclaimed atheist, kicked and stepped on the Quran but did not set it ablaze. The decision to suspend the special envoy came after an earlier Quran-burning incident, and the organization has sent a letter conveying the decision to Sweden's foreign minister. A public burning of the Quran in Denmark also sparked protests in Iraq, with clashes and arson reported. While Sweden and Denmark do not have laws criminalizing blasphemy, the burning of holy texts is not specifically prohibited by law.