ISTANBUL: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) suspended Sweden’s Special Envoy status. The OIC Executive Committee’s extraordinary meeting on July 2 led to Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha being urged to consider actions against countries desecrating the Holy Quran and Islamic symbols. It potentially included suspending their Special Envoy status.
The Secretary-General appreciated the efforts of some Member States protesting against the repeated attacks on Islamic sanctities. He urged all Member States to exercise their sovereignty. Morover, the states condemned the Swedish authority’s licensing of actions that repeatedly abused the sanctity of the Holy Quran and Islamic symbols.
Furthermore, the OIC states rejected such disgraceful acts justified under the pretext of freedom of expression.
Taha emphasized that burning Quran copies and other actions targeting Islamic figures and symbols are not ordinary incidents of Islamophobia. The statement urged the international community to promptly enforce international law, which strictly prohibits promoting religious hatred.
Furthermore, the participants stressed on adhering to the recently adopted resolution by UN Human Rights Council. This resolution focuses on combating religious hatred that leads to discrimination, hostility, or violence.
To address the situation and take appropriate actions, the OIC General Secretariat is preparing to convene an emergency meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers.
Saudi Arabia Summons Sweden’s Envoy Over Repeated Incidents Of Quran’s Desecration
Earlier, the Saudi Arabian foreign ministry summoned Sweden’s Envoy and issued a strong condemnation of the Swedish authorities for repeatedly granting official permits to extremists, allowing them to burn and desecrate copies of the Holy Qur’an.
The ministry stated that this act was a systematic provocation of the feelings of millions of Muslims worldwide.
