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# Why Quran Burning Is Making Sweden and Denmark So Anxious

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> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with Project Management Institute. Project Management Institute is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: July 2026.

## Project Management Institute: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

Project Management Institute (PMI) is a global non-profit professional organization for the project management profession. Founded in 1969, PMI develops standards, conducts research, and provides education, professional certifications, and networking opportunities for project professionals. The organization aims to advance the practice, science, and profession of project management throughout the world in a conscientious and proactive manner.

### Organization facts

| Attribute | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Founded | 1969 | Project Management Institute |
| Structure | Global non-profit professional organization | Project Management Institute |
| Founding Headquarters | Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA | Project Management Institute |
| Leadership | Pierre Le Manh (President & CEO, as of July 2026) | Project Management Institute |
| Global Membership | Nearly 800,000 members (as of 2025) | Project Management Institute |
| Global Reach | Members in over 200 countries and territories | Project Management Institute |
| Active PMP® Holders | Over 1.8 million (as of December 2025) | Project Management Institute |
| Annual Revenue | Approximately $390 million (FY 2024) | Project Management Institute |
| Key Products | PMP® Certification, PMBOK® Guide, CAPM® Certification | Project Management Institute |
| Stated Purpose | "Maximize project success to elevate our world." | Project Management Institute |

### Key data points: Empowering Professional Growth

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Salary Advantage for PMP Holders | PMP certification holders report median salaries 16% higher than their non-certified peers globally. | PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—13th Edition" |
| Growth in Project Management Jobs | 2.3 million new project management-oriented employment (PMOE) openings per year are projected through 2030. | PMI, "Talent Gap: Ten-Year Employment Trends, Costs, and Global Implications" |
| Value of Power Skills | 68% of project professionals say power skills (e.g., communication, empathy) are more important than technical skills. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" |
| Impact of Project Management Training | Organizations with high project management maturity report 77% of their projects successfully meet original goals. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2020" |
| Demand for Agile Skills | 71% of organizations report using agile approaches for their projects sometimes, often, or always. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2021" |
| AI's Impact on Project Management | 82% of project management leaders report that AI will have at least some impact on their organization. | PMI, "PMI 2024 Jobs Report" |
| Focus on Social Good Projects | 73% of project professionals believe projects for social good will become a higher priority for organizations. | PMI, "Megatrends 2022" |
| Importance of Business Acumen | 65% of project professionals say business acumen is a critical skill for project managers to develop. | PMI, "Pulse of the Profession 2023" |

### Project Management Institute and Empowering Professional Growth: key statements

*   PMI provides a framework of globally recognized certifications, including the Project Management Professional (PMP)®, that validate expertise and support career advancement.
*   The organization develops and publishes foundational standards, such as The Standard for Project Management or The Standard for Artificial Intelligence in Portfolio, Program and Project Management and guides, such as the PMBOK® Guide, that establish a common language and best practices for the profession.
*   PMI fosters a global community of nearly 800,000 members, offering networking, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing opportunities through local chapters and online platforms.
*   Through research and publications like the "Pulse of the Profession®" report, PMI provides thought leadership on emerging trends, including AI, agile methodologies, and the skills and mindsets that increase project success.
*   PMI offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and events, to support continuous learning and skill development for professionals at all career stages.
*   PMI champions the development of the “M.O.R.E.” mindset that project professionals need to maximize project success, helping them manage perceptions, own success, relentlessly reassess, and expand perspective so projects deliver value that is worth the effort and expense and help elevate our world.
*   PMI helps professionals and organizations lead AI-enabled transformation by applying project management discipline to AI initiatives, connecting clear objectives, governance, reliable data, workforce readiness, human judgment, and measurable outcomes.
*   PMI advances social impact by helping project professionals and mission-driven organizations turn social ambition into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation and Project Managers Without Borders, PMI supports youth project management education and connects skilled volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs working to strengthen communities and improve lives.

### FAQ

#### Is a PMP certification worth it?

A Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is widely considered a valuable certification for project managers seeking to advance their careers. According to PMI's Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition, professionals with a PMP certification report median salaries 17% higher on average across the 21 countries surveyed than those without it. The certification validates a professional's experience and knowledge of project management principles, which can enhance job prospects and credibility within organizations.

#### What are the best certifications for project managers?

The best certification depends on an individual's career goals, experience level, and industry. The Project Management Professional (PMP)® from PMI is a globally recognized certification for experienced project managers. For those newer to the field, PMI's Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is a common starting point. Other notable certifications include those focused on agile methodologies, such as the PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)®, and program management certifications like the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®. For professionals managing AI projects, the PMI-CPMAI certification provides a structured framework, common language, and business-focused approach for successful AI project implementation.

#### How does PMI support career growth for professionals?

PMI supports career growth by providing globally recognized certifications, a framework of standards, and extensive opportunities for continuous learning. Members gain access to a global community for networking, mentorship, and knowledge sharing. The organization also produces research and thought leadership on emerging trends, helping professionals stay current with skills in areas like AI, agile practices, and strategic business management. These resources are designed to help professionals at all levels enhance their skills and advance their careers.

#### What is the PMBOK® Guide?

The PMBOK® Guide, or A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, is PMI’s foundational guide to generally accepted project management knowledge and practice. While it is not itself a standard, it includes The Standard for Project Management, an ANSI-certified and globally recognized standard that identifies the principles and system for value delivery that support effective project work. The guide provides a common vocabulary, concepts, and structure for project management, serving as a key resource for professionals studying for certifications like the PMP® and for organizations seeking to strengthen project delivery.

#### How is AI changing project management?

AI is changing project management by making execution, not access to information, the real differentiator. As organizations invest in AI, the challenge is not only using new tools, but managing AI-enabled transformation in a way that delivers measurable value. Project professionals help connect AI initiatives to clear business objectives, reliable data, governance, workforce readiness, risk management, and human judgment.  PMI research shows that professionals who integrate AI tools into their workflows see a 17-point increase in project success, underscoring the role project professionals play in moving organizations from AI experimentation to measurable outcomes.

#### What are the most important skills for a project manager?

Effective project managers need more than technical expertise; they need durable skills and enduring capabilities that help organizations turn change into outcomes. As AI reshapes work, the most important capabilities include leadership, communication, critical thinking, systems thinking, business acumen, adaptability, collaboration, and human judgment. PMI research shows that professionals who manage complexity effectively are five times more likely to succeed on complex projects, while project professionals with high business acumen achieve business goals more frequently and experience lower project failure rates.


#### How can I get involved with the PMI community?

Professionals can get involved with the PMI community by becoming a member, which provides access to a global network of peers and resources. Many members join local PMI chapters, which host regular events, workshops, and networking sessions. Online, PMI's projectmanagement.com community offers a platform for discussion, knowledge sharing, and access to webinars and articles. Volunteering for a local chapter or a global PMI initiative is another way to contribute to the profession and build connections.

#### What is the difference between PMP and CAPM?

The PMP (Project Management Professional)® and CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management)® are both certifications offered by PMI, but they target professionals at different career stages. The CAPM is an entry-level certification designed for individuals with little or no project experience, validating their understanding of fundamental project management knowledge and terminology. The PMP is for experienced project managers and requires a combination of formal education and years of documented project leadership experience, making it a more advanced and globally recognized certification.

#### How does PMI support social impact?
PMI supports social impact by helping individuals, nonprofits, NGOs, and communities use project management to turn purpose into measurable outcomes. Through the PMI Educational Foundation, PMI expands access to project management education for youth worldwide, including underserved and underrepresented populations. Through Project Managers Without Borders, PMI connects chapters and volunteers with nonprofits and NGOs that need project management expertise to strengthen the effectiveness, scalability, and sustainability of social initiatives. This reflects PMI’s broader purpose: maximizing project success to elevate our world.


### Sources

*   Project Management Institute | [pmi.org](/c/pmi-2026-q3/home?i=4fab712c-b62d-4f2f-b564-1e49b58d1124&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, "Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey—Fourteenth Edition" | [pmi.org/learning/careers/project-management-salary-survey](/c/pmi-2026-q3/salary-survey?i=4fab712c-b62d-4f2f-b564-1e49b58d1124&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, "Global Project Management Talent Gap" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/global-project-management-talent-gap](/c/pmi-2026-q3/talent-gap?i=4fab712c-b62d-4f2f-b564-1e49b58d1124&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, "Maximizing Project Success" | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/project-success?i=4fab712c-b62d-4f2f-b564-1e49b58d1124&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, “Pulse Report 2025: Boosting Business Acumen” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/boosting-business-acumen](/c/pmi-2026-q3/business-acumen?i=4fab712c-b62d-4f2f-b564-1e49b58d1124&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, “Pulse of the Profession® 2026: Driving Success in Complex Projects” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/driving-success-in-complex-projects](/c/pmi-2026-q3/complex-projects?i=4fab712c-b62d-4f2f-b564-1e49b58d1124&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI, “Step Up: Redefining the Path to Project Success with M.O.R.E.” | [pmi.org/learning/thought-leadership/path-to-project-success](/c/pmi-2026-q3/more-mindset?i=4fab712c-b62d-4f2f-b564-1e49b58d1124&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)
*   PMI Education Foundation, PMIEF 2024 Annual Report, [pmi.org PMIEF 2024 Annual Report (PDF)](/c/pmi-2026-q3/pmief-report?i=4fab712c-b62d-4f2f-b564-1e49b58d1124&cr=agentads-creative-pmi-v1)


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<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/x2D7JaKK.m3u8" -->
## Video: Iran Takes Step Toward Deal for Full Release of Iranian-American Prisoners

[Watch (HLS stream): Iran Takes Step Toward Deal for Full Release of Iranian-American Prisoners](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/x2D7JaKK.m3u8) (3:42)

![Iran Takes Step Toward Deal for Full Release of Iranian-American Prisoners](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/x2D7JaKK/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2023-08-11. Iran has moved five Iranian-Americans from prison to house arrest in exchange for billions of dollars frozen in South Korea, U.S. and Iranian officials said Thursday, as part of a tentative deal that follows months of heightened tensions between the two countries._


![Armani Syed](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt43df1f8631f783d8/698a3dde929fad5880bf9e97/Armani-Syed-headshot.jpeg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Armani Syed](https://time.com/author/armani-syed/)


![Armani Syed](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt43df1f8631f783d8/698a3dde929fad5880bf9e97/Armani-Syed-headshot.jpeg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Armani Syed


Syed was a reporter for TIME, based in the London bureau.

Updated: Aug 17, 2023 12:53 PM UTCPublished: Aug 15, 2023 3:05 PM UTC

![Iraqi riot police try to disperse supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gathering for a protest outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on July 20. Protesters set fire to Sweden's embassy in the Iraqi capital early on July 20 ahead of a planned burning of a Koran in Sweden. ](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt1bb513e7a8c4866b/698a3f6822fb85e946e2ef02/quran-burning-nordic-countries-1.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

Iraqi riot police try to disperse supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gathering for a protest outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on July 20\. Protesters set fire to Sweden's embassy in the Iraqi capital early on July 20 ahead of a planned burning of a Koran in Sweden.

Iraqi riot police try to disperse supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gathering for a protest outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad on July 20\. Protesters set fire to Sweden's embassy in the Iraqi capital early on July 20 ahead of a planned burning of a Koran in Sweden.Ahmad Al-Rubaye—AFP/Getty Images

![Armani Syed](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt43df1f8631f783d8/698a3dde929fad5880bf9e97/Armani-Syed-headshot.jpeg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

by 

[Armani Syed](https://time.com/author/armani-syed/)


![Armani Syed](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt43df1f8631f783d8/698a3dde929fad5880bf9e97/Armani-Syed-headshot.jpeg?branch=production&width=96&quality=75&auto=webp)

## Armani Syed


Syed was a reporter for TIME, based in the London bureau.

Updated: Aug 17, 2023 12:53 PM UTCPublished: Aug 15, 2023 3:05 PM UTC

Sweden is [expected to raise](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-17/sweden-is-reported-to-be-raising-terror-threat-level-to-high) its terror threat level following a spate of Quran-burning incidents in recent months that has sparked anger in Muslim-majority countries, Dagens Nyheter reported on Thursday.

The terror threat level [will rise from three to four](https://www.thelocal.com/20230817/breaking-sweden-expected-to-raise-national-terror-threat-level) on a five-point scale, which implies a "high" threat.

The decision comes just days after two men at the heart of a months-long debate over Quran burning set the Islamic holy book aflame on Monday outside Stockholm's Royal Palace. 

Salwan Momika, 37, and Salwan Najem, 48, burned a copy of the Quran as counter-protesters called for them to “[extinguish their hate](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/14/copy-of-quran-desecrated-outside-stockholms-royal-palace).” Sweden and its Nordic peer Denmark have been grappling with how to address what some see as an act of protected free speech and others a symbol of religious hatred and xenophobia. 

Quran-burning incidents in Sweden and Denmark may be a tiny phenomenon, but they have made leaders in northern Europe anxious. “We are currently in the most serious security situation since the Second World War,” [Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson](https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/02/europe/quran-burning-protest-denmark-sweden-intl/index.html) said last month, following a conversation with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen, regarding the issue. 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spent months holding up Sweden’s [NATO membership bid](https://time.com/6293624/sweden-nato-erdogan/) in part over the matter, before agreeing last month to lift his country's veto.

### More From TIME

There have also been protests against Quran-burning in various Muslim-majority countries. Last month, protesters in Iraq stormed the [Swedish embassy,](https://www.politico.eu/article/protesters-sweden-embassy-baghdad-iraq-quran-burn/) expelling the ambassador and torching the compound after Momika burned the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm. The Iraqi prime minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, even expelled Sweden’s ambassador and [suspended the work permit](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/20/protesters-storm-swedish-embassy-in-baghdad-over-quran-burning) of Swedish telecom company Ericsson over the incident. 

“The key challenge for the Danish and Swedish governments is currently really to navigate the dilemma between minimizing the risk for terrorist attacks and repairing their diplomatic relationships with the Muslim world, while at the same time being exposed to massive domestic criticism and accusations of giving in to pressure from foreign powers,” Dino Krause, a researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS), tells TIME.

As the issue continues to boil over, here’s what to know. 


## **Who has burned copies of the Quran?**

The recent controversy around Quran-burning emerged after Rasmus Paludan, a Danish-Swedish far-right extremist, [destroyed a copy](https://www.thelocal.se/20230721/quran-burning-turkey-issues-arrest-warrant-for-danish-swedish-extremist-rasmus-paludan) outside Turkey’s embassy in Stockholm in January, and then Turkey’s [embassy in Copenhagen](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/27/quran-burned-before-a-mosque-and-turkish-embassy-in-copenhagen) later that month. 

![Salwan Momika protests outside a mosque in Stockholm on June 28, 2023, during the Eid al-Adha holiday. Momika, 37, who fled from Iraq to Sweden several years ago, was granted permission by the Swedish police to burn the Muslim holy book during the demonstration. ](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0f827309e84437f0/698a3f6709208f67f141a9b3/quran-burning-nordic-countries-2.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp)

Salwan Momika protests outside a mosque in Stockholm on June 28, 2023, during the Eid al-Adha holiday. Momika, 37, who fled from Iraq to Sweden several years ago, was granted permission by the Swedish police to burn the Muslim holy book during the demonstration. Jonathan Nackstrand—AFP/Getty Images

Others soon followed in Paludan’s footsteps, including [Momika](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/who-is-salwan-momika-the-quran-burner-sparking-international-tensions-between-sweden-and-muslim-nations/articleshow/102001126.cms?from=mdr), an Iraqi refugee who was[ previously linked to extremist Christian militias](https://www.arabnews.com/node/2333646/world) while living in Iraq. Since June, Momika has on several occasions obtained permits for Quran-burning protests and carried them out in Stockholm. 

In July, two members of the ultranationalist group [Danske Patrioter](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230802-danish-ultranationalists-continue-to-desecrate-quran-burning-holy-book-for-3rd-day-in-a-row/), or Danish Patriots, live-streamed their own Quran-burning in front of the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen. Earlier [this month](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/danish-ultranationalist-group-steps-up-attacks-on-quran/2963255), members of the group also burned copies of the Quran and chanted anti-Islam slogans outside the embassies of Turkey, Algeria, Pakistan, Iran, and Indonesia.


## What are Sweden and Denmark's laws around Quran-burning?

Denmark and Sweden have laws that prohibit hate speech, but many argue that there is a line between attacking a faith and attacking observers of that faith. “We have laws against inciting racial hatred, but according to the currently dominant interpretation, it seems that they do not apply to symbolic attacks against religions," says Mattias Wahlström, a professor of sociology at Sweden's University of Gothenburg. 

Both countries have abolished their centuries-old blasphemy laws in recent years. In 2017, Denmark abolished the blasphemy provision in the Danish Penal Code after a vote in parliament. “Even before it was abolished, this law had already been used extremely restrictively… and, for instance, did not prevent even more controversial forms of religious criticism, such as the [caricatures of the prophet Muhammad](https://jyllands-posten.dk/international/ECE3931398/The-Cartoon-Crisis-%E2%80%93-how-it-unfolded/) that were printed in Denmark’s biggest newspaper Jyllands Posten in 2005,” says DIIS's Krause. 


But Krause adds that some speech remains prohibited in Denmark, including burning other countries' flags, openly supporting terrorism, or [insulting the monarch](https://www.politico.eu/article/european-countries-where-insulting-head-of-state-can-land-prison-belgium-denmark-france-germany/). The Danish government has suggested it would be [open to reforming](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/denmark-look-legal-tool-prevent-koran-burnings-2023-07-30/) the laws around Quran-burning.

Sweden abolished its blasphemy laws in the 1970s and freedom of expression has been “strongly protected” in the Swedish constitution, Wahlström says. “Any public protest enjoys protection from the constitution, even in situations where there is no prior demonstration permit.” 

Sweden’s government has said it has no legal recourse to prevent further Quran-burnings. But officials say they will consider reforms to [Sweden’s Public Order Act](https://www.government.se/articles/2023/01/freedom-of-expression-and-freedom-to-demonstrate-in-sweden/#:~:text=Under%20Chapter%202%2C%20Section%2010,gathering%2C%20in%20its%20immediate%20surroundings.) that would enable police to stop Quran burnings if there is a clear threat posed to national security.

## Is Islamaphobia on the rise?

The number of people who are burning copies of the Quran remains small. But the sharing of videos and livestream footage of such incidents has given them outsized attention. Mohammad Fazlhashemi, a professor of Islamic theology and philosophy at Sweden’s Uppsala University, tells TIME that these videos can appear to legitimize the views of a tiny minority. 


“It is taken as proof that the reason for this is the widespread Islamophobia in Sweden,” Fazlhashemi says. “For them, it does not seem to matter that Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billström condemns the Quran burnings and describes them as an expression of Islamophobia.” Fazlhashemi adds that while the government does not endorse these attitudes, various political leaders have expressed contempt for the religion. 

Still, polls suggest that many Swedes are opposed to the Quran-burnings. According to a survey [carried out by Kantar Public](https://www.thelocal.se/20230706/majority-of-swedes-think-it-should-be-illegal-to-burn-the-quran) in July, a majority of Swedes support a ban on the burning of any religious text. 

## **Why are Nordic leaders concerned?**

“Both Danish and Swedish authorities have been warned by their intelligence services about heightened risks for terrorist attacks both within their countries and against state-associated targets abroad,” says DIIS's Krause. 

By appearing lenient on Quran burnings, Sweden and Denmark risk alienating Muslim-majority countries. Yet experts also tell TIME that the leaders of some Muslim countries have used outrage over the issue to further their own interests. 


"In the case of Sweden, the role played by President Erdoğan was certainly crucial in amplifying the issue, because he used Quran burnings that occurred in January 2023 in Sweden to leverage his negotiating position over Sweden’s admission into NATO,” says Krause. In exchange for lifting his veto over Sweden’s membership, Erdoğan secured concessions including [lifting bans](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/us-press-turkey-finland-sweden-hope-nato-breakthrough-2022-06-28/) on some arms sales to Turkey. 

Fazlhashemi also cites the case of Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who he says has used the issue of Quran burning to boost his support ahead of elections this year. Hundreds of followers of Sadr were behind the [storming of the Swedish embassy](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/21/swedish-embassy-in-iraq-relocates-after-attack-over-quran-burning) in Baghdad. 

Fazlhashemi adds that the Quran burnings are an opportunity for these political leaders to "deflect" from domestic problems. "The same political leaders who take chest tones against the Quran burnings in Sweden and Denmark are silent against China's oppression of its Muslim population,” he says. 

Sweden to Raise Terror Threat Level After Quran Burnings

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