Lebanon Suspends Cultural Cooperation with Sweden

The Lebanese government has suspended all relations and cultural cooperation with Sweden and Denmark, as a form of protest against the blasphemy of the Koran in the two European countries. Lebanese Minister of Culture, Mohammad Wissam Al Murtada, Monday (31/7/2023) said that all Lebanese cultural relations and cooperation with Sweden and Denmark, as well as the Embassies of these two countries were suspended. In his letter to the Minister of Culture of Sweden, Parisa Liljestrand and Minister of Culture of Denmark, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, Al Murtada strongly condemned the burning of the Koran which had occurred several times in the two countries.

He said, "If there had not been permission from Swedish and Danish officials to abuse the Koran, then this terrible and despicable act would never have happened, hurting the feelings of all Lebanese citizens, both Muslims and Christians." The Lebanese Minister of Culture also said that Beirut is willing to continue cultural relations and cooperation with Sweden and Denmark on the principle of preserving values and respecting beliefs. However, he added, as long as Sweden and Denmark do not comply with this condition, the cultural relations and cooperation between the two countries with Lebanon will continue to be suspended. (HS)