Baku — September 12, 2025
Elxan Nabiyev, an Azerbaijani truck driver who became known for burning a copy of the Quran and for sparking online disputes with religiously minded users, has died, his relatives confirmed to Qafqazinfo.
According to family sources, Nabiyev had been battling cancer for a long time. Some reports, however, suggest his death may have been linked to suicide. Nabiyev had been living in Europe in recent years.
Global Context of Quran-Burning Incidents
Quran burnings have repeatedly triggered global controversy and diplomatic crises. In Sweden and Denmark, far-right activists staged high-profile burnings in 2023–2024, prompting mass protests across Muslim-majority countries and even attacks on diplomatic missions. The Swedish government later tightened laws on demonstrations near embassies after pressure from partners in the Middle East.
In the United States, individual cases of Quran desecration have sparked heated debate about freedom of speech versus respect for religion, while in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh, such acts have led to widespread unrest and, in some instances, mob violence.
International organizations, including the United Nations, have condemned Quran burnings as deliberate acts of provocation, while also noting the complexity of balancing free expression with laws against incitement to hatred.
A Polarizing Figure
Nabiyev’s actions had placed him within this wider pattern of confrontations over religion and free expression. His death has reignited debate on social media, where reactions remain deeply divided.
