Taliban Suspends All Swedish Activities in Afghanistan Over Quran Insult

The Taliban has urged Muslim nations to reassess their ties with Sweden where the Quran was burned during the major Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Adha. It ordered the suspension of all Swedish activities in Afghanistan. 

Zabiullah Mujahid, the official spokesperson for the Taliban administration, said the Islamic Emirates suspends Sweden’s activities in Afghanistan until they apologize to the Muslims for this heinous act. He said the “rude act” should push other Muslim nations to reassess their ties with Sweden. “Looking into the rude act of Sweden, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants other Muslim countries to reconsider their interaction with this country.” 

According to the Taliban’s official statement, the order will remain effective until Sweden apologizes to the Muslims for committing the blasphemous act. The incident sparked outrage in Muslim countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Morocco. Angry protesters also gathered in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad and vandalized the Swedish embassy. There were also protests in Pakistan. 

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It should be noted that Sweden closed its embassy in Afghanistan in August 2021 when the Taliban regained control of the country and the U.S. troops withdrew. Regional experts say Taliban’s Swedish ban will hit humanitarian operations of the non-governmental Swedish Committee for Afghanistan. This group looks after development programs, including health care and education in Afghanistan’s 19 provinces, and employs around 6,000 people.