LONDON: The European Union (EU) has restated its firm stance against all forms of incitement to religious hatred and intolerance. Emphasizing respect for diversity as a core value of the organization, including respect for different religious communities, the EU issued the statement in response to a recent incident of the Holy Qur’an desecration in Sweden.
The EU condemned the desecration of the Holy Qur’an, a holy book respected by millions of Muslims, as offensive, disrespectful, and a blatant act of provocation. The bloc further asserted that racism, xenophobia, and intolerance had no place within its member states.
In a statement, the EU declared, “We firmly uphold freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression, both at home and abroad. However, we recognize that not everything that is legally permissible is ethically acceptable.”
Incidents of Religious Hatred in Sweden
The incident in Sweden, where a protester desecrated the Holy Qur’an, raised concerns about the impact of such actions on social cohesion and interfaith relations. The EU urged unity and mutual understanding, cautioning against divisive acts committed by individual provocateurs that could undermine societies.
