Afghanistan's Taliban rulers have banned all activities of Swedish entities in the country after the burning of a Koran outside a mosque in Stockholm last month. The announcement was made in a statement issued by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on July 11. Sweden closed its embassy in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The ban will mostly impact the activities of a Swedish NGO, the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan. The NGO employs thousands of aid workers across the war-wracked country. Last month, an Iraqi immigrant to Sweden burned a Koran outside a Stockholm mosque. The incident has sparked a wave of outrage in Muslim countries. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, click here.
Taliban Bans Activities Of Swedish Organizations In Afghanistan Following Koran Burning
Protesters burn a Swedish flag during a demonstration in Kandahar on January 25. The demonstration followed the burning of a Koran by a far-right politician in Stockholm. In June, an Iraqi immigrant also burned a Koran outside a Stockholm mosque.