Arab nations condemn Quran burning in Denmark during Ramadan

 

Arab nations have condemned the burning of the holy Quran and Turkish flag on Friday by Islamophobic extremists in front of the Turkish Embassy in Copenhagen.

 

A number of Arab nations have condemned the burning of the holy Quran and Turkish flag on Friday by Islamophobic extremists in front of the Turkish Embassy in Copenhagen. Saudi Arabia was joined by Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait that spoke out against the acts, saying the actions during the holy month of Ramadan provoked hatred against Muslims.

Far-right anti-Muslim group Patrioterne Gar Live broadcast footage on Facebook of supporters carrying banners with Islamophobic messages as they burned a copy of the holy book in the Danish capital.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the acts as a "hate crime", showing its disapproval against such actions "being allowed under the guise of freedom of expression," the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah reported.

The report further quoted the ministry calling on Danish authorities to take effective action and to ensure such incidents that threaten peaceful coexistence and social harmony do not repeat.

In a statement that also went on to urge the authorities in Denmark to prevent a repeat of such actions, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates spokesperson Sinan Majali said the act incited hatred and racism.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry of Kuwait warned the burning of the Quran risked prompting an angry backlash from Muslims across the world, underscoring the point that freedom of expression must not be used to offend Islam or any other religion.

And Qatar raised concerns over the latest act representing a "dangerous escalation" of incidents targeting Muslims, reiterating the country's commitment to rejecting "all forms of hate speech based on belief, race or religion."