Unknown individuals drew anti-Islamic slogans and phrases on the doors of Stockholm’s Grand Mosque, linked to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The mosque’s Facebook page posted pictures of the graffiti on the wooden doors, condemning the growing phenomenon of Islamophobia and racism against Arabs due to the war in Palestine.
It said that “many people, especially those of Palestinian origin, have seen an increase in racism and suspicion in the workplace, in schools, and on the streets, and that many of them feel anxious and afraid of retaliation and hate crimes when they openly display their Palestinian identity or support the Palestinian cause.”
The mosque administration expressed its regret “that this type of racism and hate crimes is actively being incited by politicians and opinion makers who tend to generalize and suspect entire groups of people.”
Swedish Prime Minister Olof Kristersson and Minister of Social Affairs Jacob Forssmed commented on the act, expressing their anger and rejection of this type of “activities that are considered hate crimes against Muslims.”
Kristersson said that “Muslims should feel safe in practicing their religious rituals in Sweden.”
The police confirmed that the number of attacks with an Islamophobic and anti-Semitic background has increased since the recent events in Gaza Strip.
