The man who vowed to burn the Torah and the Bible outside the Israeli embassy in Sweden's capital Stockholm said Saturday he had chosen not to set light to the religious scriptures.
Despite being given permission by Stockholm police to hold a three-person protest, the man said he had no intention of burning any books and instead threw a lighter to the ground.
"I never thought I would burn any books. I'm a Muslim, we don't burn," broadcaster SVT cited the man as telling those gathered for the planned desecration.
The unnamed man in his 30s said the real reason for the protest was to draw attention to the difference between freedom of speech and offending other ethnic groups.
The planned Torah burning was due to take place just days after another man set fire to pages of the Quran, Islam's holy book, drawing widespread condemnation from Muslims worldwide.