Recent months have seen repeated acts of Quran-burning or desecration by far-right extremists, especially in northern European and also in Nordic countries.
ISLAMABAD: The European Union strongly condemns the recent desecration of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark, considering it to be disrespectful.
Josep Borrell, the bloc’s foreign policy chief, said in a statement, “The EU reiterates its strong and determined rejection of any form of incitement to religious hatred and intolerance.”
He also emphasized the importance of respecting diversity and other religious communities.
Borrell condemned the desecration of the Quran or any other holy book, stating it as offensive, disrespectful, and a clear provocation. He also emphasized that expressions of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance have no place in the European Union.
Calling for mutual understanding and respect, Borrell stated that such acts committed by individual provocateurs only benefit those who want to divide societies.
Australia also condemned the burning of the Quran in Denmark and Sweden. The Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong tweeting the country’s stand against prejudice and hatred.
Wong also asserted that freedom of religion is a fundamental human right, expressing concern over violent protests in Iraq.
Additionally, Bahrain summoned a Swedish charge d’affaires to protest against the desecration and burning of a copy of the Holy Quran in Stockholm.
Late on, the official Bahrain News Agency reported that Chief of European Affairs Ambassador Ahmed Ebrahim Al Qarainees handed an official note. The note was given to Swedish Charge d’Affaires Britta Liszt Ann Lindahl.
The note expressed Bahrain’s protest against the Swedish authorities for allowing extremists to burn opies of the Holy Quran under police protection in the center of Stockholm.
Bahrain strongly condemned these repeated practices that incite Muslim emotions and demanded measures to prohibit such acts.
