OIC ‘disappointed’ over failure of Sweden, Denmark to stop desecration acts

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (AFP):

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has voiced outright “disappointment” with the response by Sweden and Denmark to acts of desecration of the Holy Quran.

Secretary-general Hissein Brahim Taha called on both countries to prevent the desecration of the Quran and “expressed his disappointment that no measures were taken in this regard.”

“It is unfortunate that the concerned authorities claiming freedom of expression continue to provide licences to repeat these acts contrary to international law, and this leads to a lack of respect for religions,” Taha said.

In Denmark, far-right group Danske Patrioter last week posted a video showing a copy of the Islamic holy scripture being desecrated.

The Danish Refugee Council has said its office in the southern Iraqi city of Basra came under “armed attack” in response to the Danske Patrioter video.

Last Thursday, Taha received a phone call from Sweden’s foreign minister, Tobias Billstrom, who said Stockholm rejects acts that insult the Quran and wants to maintain good relations with OIC members, the organisation said in a statement.

On Sunday, Taha also received a call from Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, who also “condemned” insults to the Quran and said his government was “studying this issue with great interest”, the OIC said.