OIC Members Consider Reviewing Ties with Countries that ‘Desecrate Holy Quran’

A young girl in Iraq holds a copy of the holy Quran during a massive rally against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. (AP)
A young girl in Iraq holds a copy of the holy Quran during a massive rally against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. (AP)
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OIC Members Consider Reviewing Ties with Countries that ‘Desecrate Holy Quran’

A young girl in Iraq holds a copy of the holy Quran during a massive rally against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. (AP)
A young girl in Iraq holds a copy of the holy Quran during a massive rally against the desecration of the Quran in Sweden. (AP)

The member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are currently contemplating suitable measures in response to instances of Quran desecration and burning, particularly in Sweden and Denmark.

These actions may involve the implementation of crucial political decisions and measures, such as the summoning of their respective ambassadors to Sweden and Denmark for consultation.

The foreign ministers of the member states of the OIC held an extraordinary meeting in Jeddah on Monday to tackle the repeated desecration of the Quran, issuing an extraordinary resolution regarding these acts.

In a statement, the OIC stressed the need for a reevaluation, whether on the economic, cultural, or other levels, to express nations’ rejection of the repeated insults to the sanctity of the Quran and Islamic symbols.

It also commended the measures taken by OIC member states in their relations with Sweden and Denmark as part of their condemnation of this offense.

The resolution welcomed the decision of the OIC Secretary-General to suspend the status of Sweden’s special envoy to the organization.

This suspension aligns with the final statement of the Executive Committee during its meeting on July 2, until Swedish authorities take necessary measures to criminalize acts of disrespect towards sacred Islamic symbols and prevent their recurrence.

Moreover, the resolution strongly condemned any form of hate speech that incites discrimination, hostility, or violence, whether disseminated through printed media, audiovisual means, electronic platforms, social media, or any other channels.

It vehemently denounced the repeated and flagrant attacks on the sanctity of the Quran, with the lates incident taking place in Stockholm on July 20 and Copenhagen on July 24.

The resolution expressed deep concern over the recurrence of such offenses and expressed profound regret for the Swedish authorities’ continued issuance of permits that allow them, and for their failure to take necessary measures to prevent them in both Sweden and Denmark.

The ministers decided to dispatch a delegation from the OIC, led by the Secretary-General, to urge the European Commission to express condemnation on behalf of the organization’s members for the crime of desecrating the Quran.

They called for necessary measures to be taken to ensure that such criminal acts are not repeated under the pretext of freedom of expression.



Saudi Arabia Calls for ‘Reliable’ Path to the Establishment of Independent Palestinian State

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah addresses the second meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers in New York. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah addresses the second meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers in New York. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Calls for ‘Reliable’ Path to the Establishment of Independent Palestinian State

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah addresses the second meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers in New York. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah addresses the second meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers in New York. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah participated on Wednesday in the second meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers, chaired by Brazil, urging them to enable the achievement of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the adoption of a “reliable” path to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

"The fact that our meeting is being held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly is an indication of the importance of the G20 and its leadership in ensuring the health of the global economy, enhancing multilateral cooperation, and finding innovative solutions to common challenges,” the Foreign Minister said in his speech.

He underscored the urgent need to adhere to successful models of collective action and the importance of seeking to develop and reform international institutions.

"The repercussions of wars and political conflicts undermine efforts to establish international peace and security and cast their shadows on all aspects of multilateral action, and when these institutions fail to carry out their fundamental duties towards these crises, this creates a gap in international action and a crisis of confidence that undermines their legitimacy. This is what we are witnessing today in the way some international institutions deal with the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine."

The Minister stressed that prolonging the war and expanding its scope deepens the suffering of the Palestinian people, threatens international peace and security, and undermines the chances of achieving comprehensive peace in the region.

"The G20 countries must intensify their joint efforts to overcome the international failure to confront Israel's serious violations of international laws and norms and enable the achievement of a ceasefire and the adoption of a reliable and irreversible path to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state,” he added.

Regarding reforming the United Nations system, especially the Security Council, he stressed that there is an urgent need for radical reform to compensate for the defects in addressing crises, responding to the needs of people, and keeping pace with international transformations and development requirements.

"The Kingdom affirms that the goal of reforming the Security Council is to enhance its credibility and effective response, believing in the importance of this in confronting contemporary crises and challenges, thus contributing to creating a more just, secure and stable world."