This is the moment a Muslim man delivers a kung-fu style flying kick to a far-right protester burning the Quran before police swarm in and pounce on them both.
The incident has led to the Muslim man being branded a hero by netizens online after he stopped the public burning of the holy text during a far-right protest in the southern Norwegian city of Kristiansand.
Video Credit: CEN/@QuranAndHadithh
Footage of a far-right protester trying to burn a copy of the Quran during went viral on social media and the Pakistani Foreign Ministry has said: “It was underscored that such actions hurt the sentiments of 1.3 billion Muslims around the world, including those in Pakistan.”
In the video footage, the protester, identified as Lars Thorsen, the leader of the Stop Islamisation of Norway (SIAN) organisation, appears to burn a copy of the Quran before a Muslim man attacks him.
Reports said the Muslim man has been identified by Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper as Qusay Rashed, a Palestinian national living in Norway. He has been praised in Pakistan for jumping over the barrier to stop the far-right protester.
Thorsen was reportedly arrested after the scene turned violent. Netizens have praised Rashed for stopping the man from burning the Quran.
Netizen ‘Qasim Ishfaq’ said: “Ladies and Gentleman, presenting you the defender of Quran, Salute you brother #Norway #RealHeroOfMuslimUmmah.”
Netizen ‘Dr Waqar Ahmd Afridi’ added: “Our Hero from Norway. Our Pride from Kristiansand. We Salute you Brother From PK. May Allah bless You Always. The man who attacks the racist who is going to burn the Quran.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has since summoned the Norwegian ambassador for an urgent meeting amid tensions caused by a Quran-burning incident in the Scandinavian country that went viral online.
Video Credit: CEN/Lena Andreassen
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has demanded action against the protester while summoning the Norwegian ambassador for an urgent meeting, according to reports.
Pakistan also called on the Scandinavian country’s authorities to prevent such incidents from taking place in the future, according to local media.
The statement added: “The Ambassador of Pakistan in Oslo has also been instructed to convey Pakistan’s protest and deep concerns to the Norwegian authorities.”
The Mayor of Kristiansand Harald Furre has expressed compassion for the local Muslim community and called the incident regrettable and provocative.
According to reports, the SIAN organisation had had their demonstration approved by the local authorities, but its leader Lars Thorsen burned the holy Muslim book despite reportedly receiving police warnings not to do so.
Local Christians also assembled outside the Kristiansand mosque to show support for local Muslims.
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder,  Agency: Central European News
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