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The recent incident of the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden has ignited widespread condemnation and calls for collective measures to prevent such acts of desecration.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held an extraordinary meeting in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah to address the incident and emphasized the need for international law to combat religious hatred.
Many countries, including Sweden, Pakistan, Turkey, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iraq, and Iran, strongly criticized the act.
Government of Sweden condemned the incident as an "Islamophobic" act but acknowledged the constitutionally protected right to freedom of expression.
The Quran Burning Incident:
On the first day of Eidul Azha, an individual who had fled from Iraq to Sweden tore up and burned the Holy Quran outside Stockholm's central mosque.
The act drew strong criticism from various nations, highlighting the growing concern of Islamophobia across the world.
Swedish police charged the perpetrator with agitation against an ethnic or national group and violating a ban on fires.
The OIC convened an emergency meeting due to the incident in order to discuss the matter and determine the necessary steps to address the fallout.
OIC's Response and Call for Action:
The OIC, representing 57 member countries, strongly condemned the incident and stressed the importance of preventing the recurrence of Quran desecration.
OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha emphasized the urgent application of international law to prohibit the advocacy of religious hatred.
Fawad Sher, who is serving as an ambassador of Pakistan to the OIC, reiterated the country's condemnation of the rising wave of Islamophobia at global lever.
He also called for concerted efforts to curb this alarming trend.
Sweden's Condemnation and Protection of Freedom of Expression:
Sweden's government expressed its strong condemnation of the Quran burning incident, labeling it an "Islamophobic" act.
The Swedish foreign ministry emphasized that such acts do not reflect the views of the government and stated that expressions of racism and related intolerance have no place in Sweden or Europe.
However, the ministry also acknowledged Sweden's constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression, and demonstration, underscoring the delicate balance between protecting freedom of speech and preventing hate speech or religious provocation.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Actions:
The Quran burning incident has triggered diplomatic responses from several countries.
Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco summoned Swedish ambassadors to protest against the act.
Iran, in particular, announced its decision to refrain from sending a new ambassador to Sweden as a form of protest.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian cited the Swedish government's permit for the desecration of the Holy Quran as the reason behind the decision.
Preventing Future Desecration:
The OIC's call for collective measures to prevent Quran desecration resonates with the international community's commitment to tolerance, moderation, and the renunciation of extremism.
The incident in Sweden highlights the importance of upholding human rights and fundamental freedoms, as outlined in the UN Charter.
In order to prevent future acts of desecration, governments across the globe must take effective measures and enforce relevant laws against religious hatred and Islamophobia.
(Courtesy: Dawn, Al-Jazeera)
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