Swedish Muslims protest Quran burning with innovative means
STOCKHOLM, Sweeden – In response to burning of Quran the Muslim community in Sweden have tried to shift the focus away from the abusers.
Instead, they have tried to focus on friendly dialog with the media, onlookers, and police.
One of those community members, Husam El Gomati, was seen handing out expensive chocolates and laughing and joking with onlookers at Quran burnings.
El Gomati says he does this to calm angry people and show them that there is a better way to respond to provocations than with violence.
He also says it’s important to report incidents of hate speech to the police.
El Gomati says the Swedish Muslim community just wants its space and values to be respected, just like other groups in Swedish society.
The burnings were organized by far-right groups who want to provoke a violent reaction from Muslims.
The Swedish government has condemned the burnings but has stated that it cannot ban them because of freedom of expression laws.
El Gomati and other community members are trying to find ways to respond to the burnings in a peaceful and productive way.
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