A man who burned a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish embassy in London on Saturday was physically confronted by bystanders, including an elderly man and a delivery worker.
A person burned the Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in London, prompting an elderly man to attack him, spit on him, and extinguish the flames.
Also a delivery worker stopped, got off his bike, hit him, and then resumed his work. pic.twitter.com/y8etC7ahw9
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) February 14, 2025
The incident occurred in broad daylight when the individual set fire to the Islamic holy book, an act that has previously sparked outrage in various countries. Witnesses reported that an elderly man approached the protester, spat on him, and attempted to put out the flames. Shortly after, a passing delivery worker stopped his bike, struck the man, and then resumed his work without further engagement.
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Video footage of the incident quickly spread online, showing a heated confrontation as several individuals attempted to intervene. London police arrived at the scene shortly after but have not yet confirmed whether any arrests were made.
The act of burning the Quran has been widely condemned by Muslim communities and international leaders, who argue that such actions incite hatred and division. Turkey has been particularly vocal against Quran desecrations in Europe, calling for stricter regulations against such acts.
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In response to the incident, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said, “We are aware of the altercation outside the Turkish embassy and are reviewing the circumstances. Any violations of public order laws will be addressed accordingly.”
While some have condemned the use of violence in response to the provocation, others have praised the bystanders for stepping in. The event has reignited debates about freedom of speech and hate speech laws in the UK.