Arab countries and Islamic organizations condemned the burning of the holy Quran by an extremist group outside the Turkish embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the move, underlining the need to consolidate the values of dialogue, tolerance and respect and reject everything that stokes extremism.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation slammed the repeated provocations by extremist right-wing groups under the pretext of freedom of expression.
It condemned the burning as an act of intolerance that fuels hatred that is directed against Muslims and Islam.
The Muslim World League denounced the “heinous” burning of the Quran, saying it was provocative to Muslims.
MWL Secretary-General Dr. Mohammed al-Issa said the insistence of extremists to commit such acts under the excuse of freedom of expression actually harms freedoms and their humanitarian values.
He warned that such acts only stoke hatred, provoke religious sentiments and serve extremist agendas. They also drown out moderate voices and efforts to boost dialogue and harmony between religions.
He urged governments to realize the danger of such “barbaric and reckless” practices and to take “immediate measures to confront them.”
The Arab Parliament warned that the repetition of such acts fuels hatred and violence and threatens the security and stability of societies.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry condemned the burning of the Quran, saying it was another provocative act that would incite Muslim sentiments around the world, most notably during the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
It demanded that the international community and concerned governments take immediate action to shun hatred and extremism and work on putting a stop to such repeated offensives to Muslim holy symbols and sanctities.
It also demanded that the perpetrators be held to account.
The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the burning, saying it rejects all acts that destabilize societies and violate humanitarian and ethical principles.
Oman denounced the burning, urging collective international efforts that would promote tolerance, respect and coexistence and criminalize all acts that encourage extremist thought and harm religions and beliefs.
Qatar strongly condemned the burning, warning that the “heinous act was a dangerous provocation of the sentiments of over a billion Muslims around the world, especially during the month of Ramadan.”
It noted that the repeated burning of the Quran, under the pretext of freedom of expression, “fuels hatred and violence, threatens peaceful coexistence and reveals despicable double standards.”
Bahrain also condemned the burning, saying such acts stoke hostility, religious hatred and discrimination.
It underlined the need to take necessary measures to bolster understanding, tolerance, peaceful coexistence and respect for religious and cultural diversity.
The Jordanian Foreign Ministry condemned the “racist and provocative” burning of the Quran, saying it was offensive to Muslims, especially during Ramadan.
It said it was a “dangerous act of hatred and a sign of Islamophobia that incites violence and insults religions.”
The Moroccan Foreign Ministry slammed the “heinous” burning, saying it provoked the sentiments of Muslims around the world.
It called on Danish authorities to firmly apply the law to confront such reckless acts of incitement and prevent them from happening again under any excuse.
