The mutilation of the Holy Quran in Sweden by a far-right Danish legislator was severely criticized by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday.
Rasmus Paludan, the leader of the Danish political group Stram Kurs (Hard Line), set fire to a copy of the Holy Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.
Several Muslim nations have denounced the heinous conduct, including Pakistan, Turkey, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.
The Pakistani prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, denounced the offensive behaviour on Twitter, stating that “the guise of freedom of speech can’t be utilised to damage the sensibilities of Muslims.”
No words can fully express how appalling the Holy Quran’s defilement by a right-wing fanatic in Sweden was, according to the Tweet. Religious sentiments cannot be damaged under the guise of freedom of expression.
No words are enough to adequately condemn the abhorrable act of desecration of the Holy Quran by a right-wing extremist in Sweden. The garb of the freedom of expression cannot be used to hurt the religious emotions of 1.5 billion Muslims across the world. This is unacceptable.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 22, 2023
Prior to this, Pakistan’s Foreign Office also condemned the move, highlighting how it wounded the feelings of the world’s 1.5 billion Muslims.
According to the ministry, such activities do not fall within any acceptable uses of the right to freedom of expression or opinion, which is also subject to obligations under international human rights law, such as the prohibition on using hate speech and inciting violence.
Muslims, particularly those in Pakistan, believe that Islam is a religion of peace and that other religions should be respected. All parties must uphold these values, according to the Foreign Office. To combat Islamophobia, xenophobia, and incitement to violence based on religion or belief, the ministry urged the world community to unite and strive toward fostering interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence.
The authorities in Sweden have been informed of Pakistan’s concerns, it added, and are being urged to take note of Muslim feelings and prevent Islamophobic activities. Paludan, who is also a citizen of Sweden, has burnt the Holy Quran at rallies in the past.
Saudi Arabia advocates for the dissemination of the ideals of discussion, tolerance, and coexistence and opposes extremism and hostility, according to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
Turkish officials have also expressed their strong disapproval of the event, with Ankara cancelling the defence minister of Sweden’s visit and stating that “it’s a racist activity, it’s not about freedom of expression.”
Turkey’s foreign ministry declared that it was totally unacceptable to allow this anti-Islam performance, which attacks Muslims and denigrates our fundamental beliefs, under the cover of “freedom of speech.”
It continued by saying that the burning of the Quran was just another illustration of the “alarming” degree to which racism, bigotry, and Islamophobia had spread throughout Europe, and it demanded the Swedish government to take “necessary action.”
In April of last year, protests broke out all throughout Sweden in response to Paludan’s announcement of a Holy Quran burning “tour” for the holy month of Ramazan.
