RIYADH: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned and denounced “the repeated and irresponsible acts of Sweden by granting some extremist elements official permits allowing them to desecrate copies of the Holy Qur’an,” Arab News reported on Thursday.
Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs described it as “an act that is a systematic incitement of the feelings of millions of Muslims across the world.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it would summon the charge d’affaires of the Swedish embassy to hand over him a protest note with the KSA’s demand to Sweden to take all necessary and immediate steps to prevent these disgraceful acts, which violate all religious teachings, and global laws and norms.
The ministry affirmed the “KSA’s categorical rejection of all these acts that stoke hatred between religions and limit dialogue between people.”
Iraq Expels Sweden Envoy
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined the international community in denouncing the incidents, and several other nations have also summoned their Swedish diplomats, with Iraq expelling the Swedish ambassador earlier on Thursday.
Pakistan strongly condemns public desecration of holy Quran in Sweden.
Similarly, Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned the Islamophobic act of public desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson said, “Permission to carry out premeditated and provocative acts of religious hatred cannot be justified under the guise of freedom of expression, opinion, and protest,”.
🔊: PR NO. 1️⃣4️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
Condemnation of Desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden pic.twitter.com/U5tmRi9Xqj
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) July 20, 2023
The spokesperson maintained that global law categorically obliged countries to stop and prohibit deliberate provocation to hatred, violence, and discrimination on the basis of belief or religion.
The disturbing recurrence of such Islamophobic incidents, which have hurt the sentiments of over two billion Muslims across the world, is both morally and legally reprehensible, the statement said.
Read Also: Iraq Expels Sweden Envoy, Embassy Stormed over Holy Quran Burning
The spokesperson reiterated Islamabad’s call on the world to unambiguously condemn these Islamophobic acts, isolate those who fuel religious hatred, build deterrence, and promote mutual respect, tolerance, and harmony among religions, faiths, and cultures.
The statement further said “We expect the Swedish authorities will take all necessary steps to prevent such acts of incitement and hatred. Islamabad’s concerns about the latest incident are being conveyed to the Swedish authorities,”.
Protesters Set Alight Swedish Embassy in Baghdad
Earlier, protesters set ablaze Sweden’s embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, ahead of a planned burning of a copy of the holy Quran in Sweden, according to AFP.
Events in Sweden have angered Iraqis, and supporters of the religious leader Moqtada Sadr have organized today’s protest in Baghdad.
“We are mobilized today to denounce the burning of the holy Quran, which is all about love and faith,” protester Hassan Ahmed told AFP. “We demand that the Swedish government and the Iraqi government stop this type of initiative.”
