Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns burning of copy of Holy Quran in Sweden

SANAA, Jan. 22 (YPA) -The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the burning of a copy of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, by a Swedish-Danish right-wing extremist in front of the Turkish embassy in the Swedish capital Stockholm, amid tight protection from policemen, who prevented anyone from approaching him while committing this heinous crime.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry considered the burning of copies of the Holy Quran by the Danish extremist a crime and provocative incitement to more than two billion Muslims in various countries of the world. It is also as a result of the continuation of populist rhetoric in Europe of hatred based on belief, race or religion.

The statement warned of the consequences of such provocations, stressing that this populist rhetoric is a form of the violence and terrorism that Western countries claim to fight in their literature and laws in front of the world.

The statement called on the Swedish and Danish authorities to investigate this crime, and to hold those responsible from extremist groups accountable.

“What is happening has nothing to do with freedom of opinion, expression and freedom of belief, which Western countries repeat on a daily basis,” the statement read.

It stressed the importance of Governments, intergovernmental and regional organizations, institutions and non-governmental organizations to fulfill their responsibilities in respecting human rights and taking deterrent measures against the planners and perpetrators of acts of violence and incitement against religions, as they destabilize social peace and spread hatred among peoples.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the need to adopt a binding resolution criminalizing all forms of hatred and extremism, and holding the perpetrators accountable.

E.M