Qatar has condemned in the strongest possible terms the Swedish authorities' permission to burn a copy of the Holy Qur'an in Stockholm, stressing that this heinous incident is an act of incitement and a serious provocation to 2bn Muslims worldwide, especially on Eid al-Adha.In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that allowing repeated infringements and sacrilege of the Holy Qur'an under the pretext of freedom of speech fuels hatred and violence, threatens the values of peaceful coexistence, and reveals abhorrent double standards.The ministry reiterated Qatar's complete rejection of all forms of hate speech based on belief, race, or religion and dragging sanctities into political disputes, warning that hate campaigns against Islam and Islamophobic speeches have been dangerously escalating with the continued systematic calls for targeting Muslims around the world.In this regard, the ministry renewed its call on the international community to shoulder its responsibility to reject hatred, discrimination, and violence, stressing the urging need to uphold dialogue and mutual understanding.The ministry reiterated Qatar's full support for the values of tolerance and coexistence and its keenness to establish the principles of international peace and security through dialogue and understanding.Meanwhile, the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) also strongly condemned the burning a copy of the Holy Qur'an on Wednesday - first day of Eid al-Adha - in Stockholm, Sweden.In a statement yesterday, the OIC warned of the serious gravity of such actions, which contradict international efforts to spread the values of tolerance, moderation, and rejection of extremism.It called on the governments of the countries concerned to take effective measures to prevent its recurrence, affirming its condemnation of such reprehensible acts that some extremists deliberately commit.OIC underlined the need to adhere to the Charter of the UN, regarding the promotion and encouragement of respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all at the global level, without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion.The League of Arab States (Arab League) has also condemned in the strongest terms the Swedish authorities' decision allowing extremists to burn a copy of the Holy Qur'an, holding the Swedish government responsible for the results and consequences of this heinous incident.In a statement yesterday, Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, denounced the Swedish authorities' indulgence with such a heinous act, despite the common awareness of the results of the escalating waves of hatred and bigotry.He said that the responsibility of governments is not to encourage extremism or to tolerate those who promote ideas of hatred and Islamophobia, but rather to firmly handle these trends, stressing that contempt for others' beliefs cannot be a freedom of expression. (QNA)
June 29, 2023 | 09:43 PM