Iraq, Iran strongly condemn Quran desecration, flag burning in Denmark
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The Iranian Foreign Ministry says the Danish government is responsible for stopping acts insulting sanctities.
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Iraqis protesting against the burning of the Holy Quran (AP)
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned on Saturday the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran and the Iraqi flag outside the Iraqi embassy in Denmark.
On Friday, a Danish far-right anti-Islam group burned a copy of the Quran outside the Iraqi embassy in Denmark's capital, Copenhagen.
In a statement, the Ministry affirmed its full commitment to following up on the developments of these "heinous" incidents, which cannot be placed in the context of freedom of expression.
The statement underlined that these violations ignite reactions, calling on the international community to stand urgently and responsibly against these crimes that violate peace and coexistence around the world.
On his part, the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada Al-Sadr, said in a tweet commenting on the Quran burning, "Words are no longer useful."
In the same context, the Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson affirmed that the Danish government is responsible for stopping acts insulting sanctities and holding perpetrators accountable, stressing the need for the unity of Islamic governments, peoples, and followers of monotheistic religions against any desecration of the Holy Quran.
Referring to the measures taken by Muslim countries to hold the Quran desecrators accountable, Kanaani stressed, "The Islamic Republic of Iran, while continuing its contacts and dialogues with Islamic countries, will continue its actions and efforts to deal with the ignorance of the 21st century, which has targeted human dignity and pure freedom of speech under the pretext of false Western freedom of expression."
Dozens of Iraqis demonstrated on Friday outside the gates of the Green Zone, amid strict security measures, to protest against the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran and the desecration of the Iraqi flag.
For the second time in a row, Silwan Momica tore up on Thursday a copy of the Quran and the Iraqi flag outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm after Swedish authorities greenlighted the event.
In response, the Iraqi government expelled Sweden's ambassador to the country and severed its ties with Stockholm. Moreover, the head of the media association in Iraq suspended the license of Swedish telecom company Ericsson on Iraqi soil following the Quran burning.
The violation drew widespread international condemnation, prompting the Swedish government to condemn the burning of the Holy Quran.
In the same context, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian announced yesterday that Tehran will not accept the successor to the former Swedish ambassador who has just recently completed his mission.
The diplomat added that Iran will also not send its envoy to Stockholm.
"The Swedish ambassador in Tehran has finished his mission, and according to the president's order, we will not accept the new Swedish ambassador, who is supposed to arrive in Tehran over the next few days until the Swedish government takes serious action against the person who insults the Holy Quran," Amir-Abdollahian said.
"This is the decision that the President asked me to be done and to announce this decision to the Swedish government that we have taken this action," he added.
The desecration of the Holy #Quran in #Sweden sparked widespread outrage and condemnation across the country and beyond.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 21, 2023
The recent incident, seen as a grave disrespect to the religious sentiments of millions of #Muslims around the world, triggered protests and calls for swift… pic.twitter.com/dcPiR1z2gJ
On Friday, massive demonstrations were held in Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen as protesters denounced the desecration of the Holy Quran in Stockholm, Sweden.
Protests erupted in #Iraq, #Iran, and #Lebanon against the most recent desecration of the Holy #Quran in #Sweden. Protesters chanted against the #Swedish government for accepting such an act to occur for the second time.#QuranBurning pic.twitter.com/vneVWpKbNV
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 21, 2023
Read more: UAE summons Swedish charge d’affaires over newest Quran desecration
