ISLAMABAD: The federal government of Pakistan has announced countrywide protests on Friday, July 7, in response to the recent desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden. The act of burning a copy of the sacred book outside a mosque in Stockholm during the Eid ul Adha holiday has sparked outrage globally.
In a meeting presided over by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, it was decided to organize nationwide protests and rallies to condemn the Islamophobic incident. The Prime Minister appealed to all political parties and the nation to actively participate in these demonstrations.
“We, as a united nation, will send a strong message to those with evil intentions,” the Prime Minister said. He further announced that Friday would be observed as “Youm-e-Taqaddus Quran”.
Furthermore, PM Shehbaz Sharif decided to summon a joint session of parliament to devise a consensus national strategy in response to the incident in Sweden. The joint session aims to express the sentiments and feelings of the nation through parliamentary consensus and pass a resolution condemning the desecration of the Holy Quran.
UN Rights Council Meeting on Pakistan’s Request
Meanwhile, the United Nations Human Rights Council, in response to Pakistan’s request, announced an urgent session to address Islamophobia and religious hatred. The council will discuss the alarming rise in acts of religious hatred, including the desecration of the Holy Quran in several countries.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office had previously condemned the “despicable act” of burning the Holy Quran, emphasizing that such actions inciting discrimination, hatred, and violence cannot be justified under the guise of freedom of expression and protest.
The Foreign Office reiterated that international law obligates all states to prevent and prohibit advocacy of religious hatred that leads to violence. It also called upon the international community and national governments to take concrete measures to combat xenophobia, Islamophobia, and anti-Muslim hatred.
