• Protests erupt across Afghanistan in response to the Quran's burning in Sweden and Netherlands

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    Protests erupt across Afghanistan in response to the Quran's burning in Sweden and Netherlands

    Protesters from throughout the Middle East have assembled to condemn the recent vandalism of Islam's holy book by far-right activists in Sweden...


    Digital Desk: After the Holy Quran was destroyed in parts of Europe, such as Sweden and the Netherlands, widespread protests gripped Afghanistan. 


    Notably, a protest in Stockholm last week against Turkey and Sweden's NATO bid, which included the burning of a book of the Quran, drastically heightened tensions with Turkey at a time when the Nordic country needs Ankara's support to achieve membership in the military alliance.


    TOLOnews reported on Saturday that many people opposed the action as they gathered in Kabul, calling it against human and Islamic laws.


    Rasmus Paludan, the leader of Denmark's far-right Hard Line party, had earlier burned a copy of the Holy Quran in front of Turkey's embassy in Stockholm, Sweden. 


    "We strongly reject it and will not allow anyone to degrade the holy Quran and mankind," said Nimroz resident Mujeeb Rahman. Protests were also held in the provinces of Baghlan, Balkh, Badghis, and Nimroz, according to TOLOnews. 


    Several countries throughout the world have condemned the incidents.


    "Those who claim to be followers and guardians of human rights and democracy have degraded our religion today." "We have not degraded anyone's religion and will not allow anyone to do so in the future." Ilham Nabizada, another Baghlan inhabitant, agreed.


    According to CNN, the Turkish ministry asked Sweden to take appropriate action against the offenders and invited all countries to take serious steps to combat Islamophobia.


    A separate rally in the city supported Kurds and opposed Sweden's bid to join NATO. A pro-Turkish demonstration was also conducted outside the embassy. All three activities were police-approved.