Emergency meeting of OIC over the desecration of the Quran

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
22 Jul 2023 20:51

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry aims to develop collective mechanisms to combat Islamophobia.

Council of the foreign ministers and representatives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, on March 22, 2022 (AFP)

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation regarding the recurrent desecrations of the Quran.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said, in a statement, that this initiative "aims to develop collective mechanisms to combat Islamophobia in national and international contexts."

The ministry also called on the international community to stand up to its obligations in an impartial and responsible manner according to international resolutions."

To add, the ministry announced its intent to follow up with the developments of these heinous stunts, affirming that they cannot be framed in the context of freedom of expression.

Yesterday, on Friday, a Danish far-right anti-Islam group burned a copy of the Quran outside the Iraqi embassy in Denmark's capital, Copenhagen.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran and the Iraqi flag outside the Iraqi embassy in Denmark.

Earlier today, the Danish Foreign Ministry condemned the burning of the Quran in front of the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen, describing it as a provocation that would espouse sedition between religious and cultural groups.

"The Danish government condemns the burning of the Quran. Burning of holy texts and other religious symbols is a shameful act that disrespects the religion of others. It is a provocative act that hurts many people and creates a division between different religions and cultures," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry emphasized the importance of religious diversity and tolerance in Denmark citing the sizeable number of Muslim citizens in Denmark.

"They [Danish Muslims] are a valued part of the Danish population. Denmark underlines that freedom of expression and freedom of assembly must be respected. Denmark supports the right to protest but emphasizes it must remain peaceful," the ministry added.