“They have a right to do that. If PAS wants to do it they can,” said Anwar after an event here today.

However, he advised those attending the protest against causing any trouble.

The PAS-organised protest will be held in front of the Swedish embassy near Jalan Tun Razak. It will see protesters marching from the As-Syakirin KLCC mosque to the embassy after Friday prayers.

Earlier this week, Swedish far-right politician, Rasmus Paludan’s burning of the Quran at a demonstration sparked outrage among Muslims around the world.

Anwar condemned Paludan’s act and called for action to be taken against the politician to check what he called an alarming rise of Islamophobia in Sweden.

Earlier, in his speech, Anwar said foreign minister Zambry Abd Kadir had conveyed the government’s disgust over Paludan’s act.

“We in Malaysia will not tolerate the burning of the Quran, Bible and Hindu texts.

“The burning of the Quran is aimed at provoking (Muslims) and causing discord,” he said, adding, however, that Muslims should counter anti-Islam movements through intellectualism.

Anwar also took a jab at individuals exploiting religion for political mileage.

He said there were people who made their own fatwas (religious edicts) but did not like it when they were advised against doing so.

“When we advise them, they will say we are anti-Islam, (but) just because you are a party leader and an Islamic figure, it doesn’t mean everything you say is correct,” he said.

He said this was why a deeper understanding of Islam based on the Quran, Sunnah and the views of scholars was important.

As such, he said, he had submitted a proposal to higher education minister Khaled Nordin for the review of the Islamic curriculum.

Earlier, Anwar launched a book titled “Knowledge, Tradition and Civilisation: Essays In Honour of Prof Osman Bakar”.

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