Burning of Holy Quran: Arab League, Parliament Denounce Disturbing Act
BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- In a shocking act of religious provocation, a copy of the Holy Quran was burned by extremists in Sweden on the first day of Eid al-Adha, leading to widespread condemnation from the Arab League and the Arab Parliament. The League of Arab States Secretary General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, expressed his strongest disapproval of the Swedish authorities’ decision to allow such an act to take place, stressing that disrespecting the beliefs of others should never be mistaken for freedom of expression.
Speaking on behalf of Secretary-General Aboul Gheit, his spokesman, Djamel Rochdi, conveyed the condemnation of this heinous act and criticized the leniency shown by Swedish authorities despite the escalating waves of hatred between different religious communities. The Secretary-General holds the Swedish government accountable for the repercussions and consequences of this incident. The Arab Parliament has also joined in denouncing this act and called upon Arab and Islamic nations to boycott Swedish products and refrain from traveling to Sweden.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, Secretary-General Aboul Gheit has urged Arab and Islamic countries to take decisive and united actions in support of the Muslim religion and the Holy Quran. The Arab Parliament emphasized that such violations against the Holy Quran are considered crimes in their own right, in direct violation of international laws and conventions that emphasize the importance of respecting religions and holy books while preventing any form of contempt towards them.
These offensive actions deeply inflame the sentiments of Muslims and are categorically rejected. The Arab Parliament urged parliaments worldwide to adopt resolute measures, including boycotting Swedish products and abstaining from any dealings with them. They underscored the significance of respecting Islam, a religion that advocates for peace, brotherhood, and vehemently rejects hatred and incitement to violence.
The incident occurred when a 37-year-old Iraqi, who had sought refuge in Sweden, burned a few pages of the Holy Quran outside Stockholm’s largest mosque during an authorized “gathering” monitored by Swedish police. The timing of this disturbing act during Eid al-Adha, a significant celebration for Muslims worldwide, only intensified the outrage and condemnation it received. Earlier this year, a Swedish-Danish right-wing extremist had burned a copy of the Quran near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm, causing similar outrage within the Muslim community.
As this appalling act undermines the principles of religious tolerance and mutual respect, it is crucial for global leaders to stand against such actions that fuel animosity and harm interfaith harmony. The burning of any religious text is an affront to the fundamental values of freedom, peace, and coexistence. It is incumbent upon governments, organizations, and individuals worldwide to unequivocally condemn such acts of hate and work together to promote understanding, dialogue, and respect among different faith communities.
The Arab League and the Arab Parliament will continue their efforts to raise awareness about the importance of religious tolerance, mutual respect, and the condemnation of any form of religious desecration. They urge the international community to take concrete actions to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and safeguard the values of religious freedom and harmony.
