UNITED NATIONS: A delegation of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to apprise him of the intense feelings of anger in the Muslim world over the disturbing acts of burning of the Holy Quran, most recently in Sweden.
During the meeting, Pakistan’s Ambassador at the UN Munir Akram, together with diplomats of Egypt and Bangladesh as well as chargé affairs of Mauritania and Saudi Arabia, urged the UN Secretary-General to take action aimed at preventing such “abhorrent” acts.
Pakistani ambassador conveyed to the US chief that the Parliament of Pakistan had recently adopted a resolution condemning the “despicable” act of burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden and handed over a copy of the Resolution, Pakistan mission to the UN in New York said in a press release.
The Pakistani envoy also highlighted the need for those nations, in the light of the resolution recently adopted by the Human Rights Council (HRC) on the matter, to outlaw deliberate acts of provocation like the desecration of the Holy Quran, which can result in violence.
Akram conveyed to the UN Secretary-General that the OIC would wish him to adopt a Plan of Action (POA) against Islamophobia.
Secretary-General condemns Quran burning acts
The UN head referred to the acts of burning of the Holy Quran as both condemnable as well as “stupid”. He agreed that the resolution adopted by the HRC should be implemented by all members countries.
Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN chief, said that the Secretary-General expressed solidarity with the Muslim community, strongly condemning acts of intolerance, Islamophobia, and violence which exacerbate tensions and contribute toadicalization and discrimination.
Later, the ambassadorial group also held a meeting with the President of the Security Council for the month of July, Ambassador Barbara Woodward of the UK, to convey the OIC’s concerns over this outrageous act.
The fifteen-member Council president was also requested to release a statement condemning the recent acts of burning of the Holy Quran.
