RIYADH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has joined nations across the Arab world in condemning the burning of a copy of the Holy Qur’an in the Swedish capital, Stockholm on Thursday, as the forum described it as an act of desecration.
“The secretary general of the OIC Hissein Brahim Taha condemns in the strongest terms another provocative act of desecration of a copy of the Holy Qur’an that took place in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm,” a statement issued by the organization said.
Taha was deeply disappointed that the Swedish authorities continued issuing permissions to burn the holy book, it said.
The statement mentioned the final communique issued by the OIC Executive Committee in its extraordinary meeting on July 2, which said that such provocations were contrary to the spirit of articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and could not be justified under the right to freedom of expression, which prohibits any incitement to religious hatred and intolerance.
It also referenced the content of the resolution adopted by the UN Human Rights Council on July 12 on “countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.”
Taha underlined the need to comply with international law and urged the Swedish government to stop granting extremist groups and individuals permission.
Al-Azhar, Egypt’s top religious institution, also joined the condemnation of the burning of the copy of the Holy Qur’an and urged Muslims worldwide to boycott Swedish products.
“Al-Azhar strongly condemns the continued desecration of the Qur’an in Sweden: a stain on Sweden,” it said on Twitter.
“Sweden has proven, through its practices, that it is the closest society to racism and the furthest from respecting religions and people. Al-Azhar calls on all free people in the world to continue boycotting Swedish products in support of the Qur’an, the book of God.”
Saudi Arabia on Thursday condemned “the repeated and irresponsible actions of the Swedish authorities by granting some extremists official permits authorizing them to burn and desecrate copies of the Holy Qur’an.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the latest incident as “an act that is a systematic provocation of the feelings of millions of Muslims around the world,” and said it would issue a note of protest to the charge d’affaires of the Swedish Embassy urging Stockholm to take immediate steps to stop these “disgraceful acts, which violate all religious teachings, and international laws and norms.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also said on Twitter, he hailed the “UN resolution against Qur’an burning in Sweden” and applauded the UNHRC resolution.
He said it was unfortunate that for “every step against Islamophobia, hatred ignites among those who hide their heinous acts behind the mask of free speech, as demonstrated by the dissenting states.”
