Outdated Video: A Muslim Attacks An Extremist for Burning the Quran
The Claim
A video shows an Iraqi citizen attacking a Norwegian anti-Islam extremist for burning the Quran before the police stepped in and intervened to stop him.
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Emerging story
Social media users recently circulated a video purporting to show an Iraqi citizen attacking a Norwegian racist individual who burned the Quran.
“Police step in before escalation as video reportedly shows Iraqi citizen attacking man burning Quran, this time in Norway. Many Quran-burning incidents happening in European countries with Iran claiming it's all linked to Israel Mossad,” a Twitter user said.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating video and found the claim to be misleading.
A thorough reverse image search revealed the video making the rounds to be outdated.
The Video of Burning the Quran Dates Back to 2019
In the video, which dates back to November 2019, a Norwegian anti-Islam extremist burned the Quran during an anti-Muslim rally.
TRT World reported the incident in a video report on November 19, 2019.
Humza Asim, a Twitter user, published the video on November 20, 2019. The video’s caption reads, “In #Norway, anti-Islam extremist burned the Holy Quran in public. He was shielded by the police. One muslim guy tried to stop extremists but police arrested that muslim guy instead of stopping the extremists.salute the Muslim HERO."
SIAN Leader Attacked By a Muslim for Burning the Quran
In Kristiansand, Norway, the leader of the group "Stop Islamization of Norway" (SIAN) was first attacked by a Muslim man and then by a mob. This happened because the leader defied police orders against burning the Quran during their approved rally.
Reports stated that Lars Thorsen, the SIAN leader, burnt one copy of the Quran, and two other copies were thrown into a trash can during the event. The police had previously warned SIAN against desecrating the Quran after they announced their intention to do so.
According to media reports, both Lars Thorsen and Ilyas, who confronted the burning of the Quran, were detained by the police in connection with the incident.
Norway Bans Quran Burning Protest
Norwegian police have banned a scheduled anti-Islam protest, which involved the burning of a copy of the Quran, due to security concerns. The decision came after the Turkish foreign ministry summoned Norway's ambassador to express their objections. The protest was planned to take place outside the Turkish embassy in Oslo, following similar demonstrations in Sweden and Denmark the previous month.
The police clarified that burning the Quran is still considered a legal means of expressing political views in Norway. However, they cited the intelligence they had received as the basis for canceling the event, emphasizing the importance of security in this situation.
Muslim Nations' Outrage Over Islamophobic Quran Burning
Muslim nations, including Iran and Pakistan, are expressing their concerns over the desecration of the holy Quran, viewing it as an incitement to violence. They are calling for accountability following a series of incidents in Sweden that have caused widespread backlash globally.
In response to the most recent incident that occurred last month, a motion has been filed at the United Nations human rights body. The motion urges countries to review their laws and address any loopholes that may hinder the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy promoting religious hatred.
The specific incident involved an Iraqi immigrant in Sweden who ripped, burned, and stomped on the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm during the Eid al-Adha holiday. This act sparked outrage throughout the Muslim world and resulted in angry protests in several cities.
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