Setting fire to holy scriptures ‘clear act of provocation’: EU
GENEVA (AA): The EU has said that burning a copy of the Quran or any other holy book “is offensive, and disrespectful and a clear act of provocation.”
The remarks came after a person identified as Salwan Momika carried out the despicable act under police protection in front of a Stockholm mosque on Wednesday.
The desecration was timed to coincide with Eid al-Adha, one of the major Islamic religious festivals celebrated by Muslims worldwide.
“Manifestations of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance have no place in Europe,” Nabila Massrali, the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement.
“The EU joins the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its strong rejection of the burning of a Quran by an individual in Sweden. This act in no way reflects the opinions of the European Union.”
She added: “It is even more deplorable that such act was carried out on the important Muslim celebration of Eid al Adha.”
Acts of Islamophobic hate staged to hurt and offend the Muslim community have increased in Europe. Many such actions are carried out under the protection of the state security apparatus as state laws do not recognize such an action as a criminal offence. Muslim and other religious leaders have often drawn the attention of European governments towards the need to legislate to prevent right wing terrorists from carrying out such heinous actions.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
