The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan in a statement said that some of its activities for Afghanistan have been paused, due to the Islamic Emirate suspending all of Sweden’s activities in Afghanistan, and office staff of the organization have been asked to work from home.

According to the statement, “last year, SCA received 2.5 million patient visits in our clinics in Wardak and Nuristan. 133,000 children received education in our schools and more than 20,000 people with disabilities were supported. SCA employs over 8,000 Afghans across 18 provinces.”

The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan said it condemns all acts of desecration of the Holy Quran.

The Islamic Emirate has suspended all Swedish activities in Afghanistan in reaction to a Swedish citizen burning the Quran.

Azeraksh Hafizi, an economist, said that Swedish organizations have a history in Afghanistan over the past four decades.

“The Swidden organizations have a history of four-decades of activities in Afghanistan. They should continue operations within the law of Afghanistan while considering the values of the Afghan people. They should not only be allowed but there should be cooperation with them,” he said.

“The suspension of the departments of the Swedish Committee for Afghanistan is affecting the nation of Afghanistan. So, the Islamic Emirate’s officials should be satisfied with only condemnation,” said Aziz Maarij, a former diplomat.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate said that the Swedish organizations are not allowed to operate until they apologize for the mistreatment of the holy Quran.

“We halt all activities of Sweden for now until Sweden apologizes and promises that such actions will not be happening again,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, Islamic Emirate’s spokesman.

This comes as some of people with disabilities called on the Islamic Emirate to not suspend the activities of the organizations which are providing humanitarian aid.

Earlier, an Iraq-born Swedish citizen tore a copy of the Quran and lit it on fire outside the Stockholm Central Mosque.