Before they burn the Quran, have they read it first?

The action of burning Korans in Western countries has several times been used as a way to "express" disapproval, dislike, hatred, fear (or whatever) towards Islam. Several acts have occurred in Western countries like Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. These acts have made me ask: Did the Koran burners have time to read the contents of the Koran before they burned it? Because, it would be a shame if they haven't read it. Why would someone buy a copy of the Koran just to waste their time and burn it?

Salwan Momika Protests Against the Treatment of Christian Minorities in Muslim Countries

Sweden, June 2023, an immigrant from Iraq named Salwan Momika burned the Koran in front of the Swedish Parliament and in front of the Stockholm Grand Mosque. His action was carried out to voice his criticism of the treatment experienced by Christian minority groups in Muslim countries. Not only once, Momika burned the Korans three times in public. Recently, January 30 2025, Salwan Momika was found murdered with multiple gunshot wounds in his apartment in Södertälje, Sweden, while broadcasting live on TikTok.

Regarding Momika's protest about the "bad" treatment experienced by minority groups in "Muslim" countries, it made me think: Did Momika first find out what the Koran said regarding this matter? Did Momika find that the Quran in Surah Shad verse 26 commands that every leader must act fairly, be trustworthy, prioritize the public interest, and make decisions not based-on his or her own desire?

˹We instructed him:˺ “O David! We have surely made you an authority in the land, so judge between people with truth. And do not follow ˹your˺ desires or they will lead you astray from Allah’s Way. Surely those who go astray from Allah’s Way will suffer a severe punishment for neglecting the Day of Reckoning.” (Surah Shad: 26)

That is the message conveyed by the God of Muslims through the Koran to leaders, especially Muslim leaders. If only Momika had read the Koran and found this verse before, maybe he would have learned that some "Muslim countries and leaders" are not completely devout and obedient to Allah and His teachings.

Rasmus Paludan, From Protesting Denmark's Immigration Policy and Islamization, the Right to Freedom of Expression, to Commemorating Momika's "Sacrifice" in Criticizing Islam

Responding to the murder of Salwan Momika at the end of January 2025, a Swedish-Danish politician named Rasmus Paludan again burned the Koran in front of the Turkey's Embassy on February 3, 2025. And it was not the first time that he had burned the Koran. As a result of the serial Korans burning in 2019, 2022, 2023 and 2025, Paludan has become a controversial politician who continues to spark anger from the international community. Paludan argued that Islam is incompatible with Western values, especially related to the importance of freedom of expression, and the importance of strengthening Sweden's immigration policy against "Islamization".

Regarding the importance of freedom of expression and immigration, it made me think: Did Paludan have time to read the verses in the printed copies of the Koran that he had burned from 2019 to 2025? Does he know that the Koran teaches that all humans have freedom to live according to their own believe, including the freedom to embrace a religion according to their own wishes (Al-Baqarah 256; Hud: 28), and the freedom to voice opinions and resolve problems through dialogue (Musyawarah) (Al-Imran: 159; Ash-Shura: 38)?

"It is out of Allah’s mercy that you ˹O Prophet˺ have been lenient with them. Had you been cruel or hard-hearted, they would have certainly abandoned you. So pardon them, ask Allah’s forgiveness for them, and consult with them in ˹conducting˺ matters. Once you make a decision, put your trust in Allah. Surely Allah loves those who trust in Him". (Al-Imran: 159)

"who respond to their Lord, establish prayer, conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, and donate from what We have provided for them;" (Ash-Shura: 38)

If Rasmus Paludan had read, maybe he would be interested in having a dialogue first before he continued his series of actions. But indeed, one thing that is different from the Paludan style of "Freedom of Expression" taught in the Koran is: Muslims are advised to be more respectful in expressing their “expression” (Luqman: 19) and not to express anything that is not truly understood, because all forms of expressions will definitely be accounted for in the afterlife (Al-Isra: 36).

“And do not turn your nose up to people, nor walk pridefully upon the earth. Surely Allah does not like whoever is arrogant, boastful". (Luqman: 18)

"Do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed hearing, eyesight, and the heart—all of these are accountable".(Al-Isra:36)

Edwin Wagensveld, Protests About the "Islamization" of Europe and Calls Out the Government's Suppression of Freedom of Speech as an "Islamic Ideology"

In the Netherlands, in January 2024, a person named Edwin Wagensveld led a demonstration by an anti-Islam group that tried to burn the Koran during the demonstration. Wagensveld called the Koran a fascist book and the equivalent of Hitler's Mein Kampf. He also called supporters of Islam are the followers of the same ideology as Hitler. Meanwhile, we know that Fascist ideology itself has these characteristics: Authoritarian and Totalitarian, Extreme Nationalism, Anti-Democracy & Anti-Communism, and tends to use violence and terror.

Regarding the equation of the Koran with the Book of Fascism as stated by Wagensveld, I got to thinking: Did he really read the book Mein Kampf, the Book of Fascism, and the Koran when he equated the three and then burned the Quran as a theatrical act? Does Wagensveld know that the Koran teaches dialogue in solving problems including in matters of state (Al-Imran: 159; Al-Shura: 38), not broadcasting lies such as propaganda (Al-Munafiqun: 1; An-Nahl: 105; Al -Imran:61; An-Nur:7; Al-Baqarah:10), leading with gentleness (Al-Imran:159), and teaching equality between all humans regardless of race, ethnicity and religion (Al-Hujurat: 13). Equating the Koran with the ideology of fascism and racism is a foul slander that can be spread by people who have no insight.

"O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware". (Al-Hujurat:13)

If only Wagensveld had had time to read the Koran before burning it, perhaps he would have felt more ashamed because he had spread the slander that the Koran was the same as the Book of Fascism.

Next Question: Did the people who supported the burning of the Koran action also have time to read the contents of the Koran and confirm their existing knowledge about Islam?

If not, what needs to be asked next is: Are they THAT "afraid" of Islam so much that they are even afraid to challenge themselves to just read the Koran? Or is it simply because Western society is starting to feel lazy about reading?

We know that technological innovation in Western countries is very good. But it turns out that technological developments such as social media and changes in lifestyles in the West have had an impact on decreasing interest in reading. Several surveys in the United States, England and Canada show a decreasing interest in reading in recent years. The only Western country that immediately responded to this trend was Sweden, which decided to "slow down" its society from the digital world to increase public literacy.

Maybe it's time for the world to campaign #SavetheWestFromIlliteracy. Because if we don't save them now, I worry that there will be another one who will burn the Koran without reading it first.