ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned the Swedish authorities for permitting the public desecration of the Torah and Bible in Stockholm, following a recent incident in which the Holy Quran was desecrated outside a mosque in the country’s capital.
The Foreign Office of Pakistan issued a statement denouncing these offensive acts of religious hatred and emphasized that freedom of expression and opinion should not be used to justify such actions.
The Foreign Office of Pakistan reiterated the importance of respecting all religions, sacred personalities, and holy scriptures. It highlighted Islam’s call for peace and emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to promoting mutual respect, harmony, and peaceful coexistence among different religions, faiths, and cultures.
Pakistan Urges International Community to Condemn Acts of Religious Hatred
Pakistan urged the international community to condemn such acts of religious hatred in a unified voice. These acts not only hurt the sentiments of followers but also constitute deliberate incitement. Pakistan called for a collective effort to counter such abhorrent actions and promote understanding and tolerance among different religious communities.
Swedish police confirmed on Friday that they had granted a permit for a protest outside the Israeli embassy in Stockholm, which would involve burning holy texts. This decision has sparked condemnation from Israel and Jewish organizations. The demonstration, scheduled for Saturday, is seen as a response to the previous Holy Quran burning incident and is intended to express support for freedom of speech, according to the permit application.
Stockholm police clarified that permits are granted for public gatherings and the expression of opinions, not for specific activities conducted during these gatherings. They emphasized that they do not issue permits for burning religious texts. Carina Skagerlind, press officer for Stockholm police, stated that the police abide by Swedish legislation in this regard.
The incident in Sweden has brought renewed attention to the need for respect and sensitivity towards religious beliefs and symbols, while also raising important discussions around the limits of freedom of expression and the responsibilities that come with it.
