Norway: An Anti-Islamic gathering named Stop Islamisation of Norway (SIAN)’ headed by Lars Thorsen attempted to burn the Holy Quran in a crowd when stopped by a Muslim hero Ilyas. Ilyas along Lars and others were arrested on point, but the bravery of the young man is praised by Muslims all over the world.
The local police also issued a clear warning when the anti-Islamic organization announced its intention to do so. The incident happened in the city of Kristiansand.
In a video that is being circled on social media, Ilyas can be seen jumping into the roadblocked circle and attacking the person who was burning the Holy Quran to prevent the sacred book from being desecrated. The rally escalated quickly and turned violent and the police arrested Lars and his attackers.
According to some reports, two other copies of The Holy Quran were throwing in a trash can in the rally before Thorsen burned another one.
Ilyas is now being called “The Muslim Hero” and “The Defender of Quran” on social media for his brave act. However, his exact identity could not be identified till now.
Muslims from all over the world praised Ilyas on Twitter and other social media platforms and warned of the rise of Islamophobia all over the world, especially Europe.
#Ilyas_Hero_of_Muslim_Ummah, #Norway, #Defender_of_Quran, #TheGloriousQuran, and #Norway_Attack_On_Islam started trending on Twitter in Pakistan.
Here’s what people have to say about the incident:
Such actions hurt the sentiments of 1.3 billion Muslims around the world, including those in Turkey & Pakistan, and they could not be justified in the name of freedom of expression.#NorwayAttackOnIslam pic.twitter.com/MqtMWkYT54
— Elaaf Turk 🇹🇷 (@ElaafTurk) November 24, 2019
#NorwayAttackOnIslam
The real hero of the Muslims and the defender of The Holy Quran pic.twitter.com/JxZxU28Njr— Ifrah Fasih | Walls | Fine Line | (@IfrahFasih) November 24, 2019
Not acceptable such incident as a Muslim we respect all religions beyond their beliefs #NorwayAttackOnIslam
— m pakistani (@mpk14039682) November 24, 2019
Islamic States Should Attack on Norway because Norway Attacks on Islam. Norway is working on Islam o phobia. Norway must be punished hard, from Islamic States. Long live Taliban. Long live jihadists. Long live Jihad. #NorwayAttackOnIslam
— Sobia Malik (@SobiaMa94276177) November 24, 2019
Norway should be teached Lesson. Norway should be punished hard. Boycott Norway 🇳🇴. Boycott Trading with Norway #NorwayAttackOnIslam
— Sobia Malik (@SobiaMa94276177) November 24, 2019
Salute to the brave Mr. #Ilyas for displaying the courage to stop an absolutely deplorable action. Such #Islamophobia based provocations only promote hatred and extremism. All religions are and must stay respectable. #NorwayAttackOnIslam#NoMoreIslamophobia pic.twitter.com/VBPS2Mqt6U
— Mohsin Rajpoot 🇵🇰 (@iMohsinRajpoot) November 24, 2019
Some people also said that Telenor should be banned because it is a Norwegian company.
Muslum should boycott norway products and services telenor and easy paisa#BoycottTelenor pic.twitter.com/XYgnRlmAWN
— Sajid Khan Afridi (@SajidKhanAfd) November 23, 2019
#NorwayAttackOnIslam
Bicott Telenor network and product of norway— Malik Akeel (@MalikAkeel14) November 24, 2019
The world continues 2 harm Muslims' sentiments cuz they're afraid of our true religion spreading in their pagan lands.
Our protests won't change their hate since it's all planned.
Thus we must boycott their products.
A major Norwegian product in Pak is Telenor.#BoycottTelenor pic.twitter.com/ftC4MVsCkd— Ayesha Siddiqua (@AyeshaAgenda) November 22, 2019
The incident was strongly condemned by an important cultural and social organization, The Pakistan Union Norway (PUN).
Chaudhry Qamar Iqbal, chairman of PUN, referred to Lars Thorsen in a statement and said he has hurt the feelings of Muslims by desecrating their sacred book, The Holy Quran. He added that Norway had a good reputation worldwide its people were peaceful and respected other religions.
Iqbal also said that the fact that the blasphemy was carried out in broad daylight, and the police did not take any action to stop him also hurt the people and Muslims of Norway. He condemned the police for taking action only when the man intervened to stop the desecration and helping the person who was burning the sacred book.
The Chairman also urged the Norwegian government to arrest those who incited and hurt the feelings of others through extremism.
Norwegian Muslim leaders announced that they intend to file a hate crime complaint against SIAN for desecrating The Holy Quran and for verbal aggression.