SHAFAQNA- There have been renewed outrage and condemnation across Muslim World after members of an Islamophobic group in Denmark have burned a copy of the holy Quran and Iraqi flag in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Copenhagen.
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in Baghdad
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Saturday following reports of the desecration of the Quran. They attempted to storm Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses foreign embassies and the seat of Iraq’s government.
Iraq condemned “in strong and repeated terms
In response to the incident in Copenhagen, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned “in strong and repeated terms, the incident of abuse against the Holy Quran and the flag of the Republic of Iraq in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Denmark”, in a statement on Saturday.
Iran: Danish government is responsible for insults to the Holy Quran
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani has said that the Danish government is responsible for insults to the Holy Quran and Islamic sanctities as he insists that those behind a recent gathering in Denmark in which the the holy book was desecrated must be prosecuted and punished.
The public opinion of the Islamic world is waiting for the practical action of the Danish government on the issue, Kanaani said on Saturday.
He reiterated that there is a need for unity of the Islamic countries and nations and all the followers of heavenly religions to effectively deal with any cases of insulting the Holy Quran.
OIC condemns Quran copy burning in Denmark
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday strongly condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in the Danish capital of Copenhagen.
“We condemn in strongest possible terms the public desecration of the #HolyQuran in Denmark yesterday. The continued defence of and inaction against these Islamophobic acts, in the name of freedom of expression, is clearly fostering impunity,” the OIC Geneva Office said on Twitter.
It called on Denmark authorities to comply with “its obligations under international law and implement UN Human Rights Council #HRC53 resolution” on countering religious hatred that was adopted last week.
“Those failing to speak out, despite clear direction by HRC to do so, are fast losing credibility,” the OIC stated.
Denmark condemns Quran copy burning as ‘shameful act’
Denmark on Saturday condemned the provocative act of burning a copy of the Muslim holy book, the Quran, calling it a “shameful act” that disrespects the religions of others.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on Twitter that the provocative act hurts many people and creates a division between different religions and cultures.
Despite religious freedom in Denmark, many Danish citizens are Muslims. “They are a valued part of the Danish population,” the statement stated.
Saudi Arabia: Repeating these provocative acts are a flagrant violation of all international laws
Saudi Arabia on Saturday expressed its “strong condemnation and dissatisfaction” with a failure to take necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of incidents of violations against Islamic sanctities.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said an “extremist group in Denmark burned a copy of the Holy Qur’an, and raised slogans of hatred and racism against Islam and Muslims, in front of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in the capital, Copenhagen.”
The ministry “expressed the Kingdom’s condemnation in the strongest terms of these acts that incite hatred and violence between religions,” and warned against “repeating these provocative acts” that affect millions of Muslims around the world and “are a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms.”
PGCC expressed strong condemnation
Jassem Albudaiwi, the secretary-general of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, also expressed his strong condemnation and denunciation of the burning and desecrating of a copy of the Qur’an in Copenhagen.
In a statement issued on Saturday, he said that “the continuation of these heinous acts and irresponsible behavior reflects extremism and hatred of religions,” and called on Denmark to “take immediate action to hold those extremists accountable in accordance with international laws, treaties and norms that protect and preserve religions.”
Kuwait: this provocative act deepens hatred, fuels extremism
Kuwait also condemned the recent incident and said “this provocative act deepens hatred, fuels extremism, and offends Muslims worldwide.”
The foreign ministry urged the Danish government to reveal the motives behind “this disgraceful act and to take all necessary legal actions to stop such irresponsible actions and behavior.”
It also called on the Danish government to work to prevent the “recurrence of such acts and to bring perpetrators to accountability,” arguing that “freedom of expression should not be used to insult Islam and all religions.”
Tunisia called on all countries to respect sanctities
Tunisia issued a similar statement and called on all countries to respect sanctities so that “heinous crimes” that contradict the values of coexistence and tolerance are not repeated to fuel extremism and terrorism.