MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Wednesday that the desecration of the Holy Qur’an is a crime in Russia and will be penalized accordingly.
During his visit to the Muslim-majority Dagestan Autonomous Republic, Putin emphasized that while other countries may fail to respect the sanctity of the Qur’an, it will always be revered in Russia.
Speaking at the historic mosque of Derbent, where he met with Muslim representatives from Dagestan, Putin expressed his commitment to upholding the significance of the Qur’an. He received a copy of the holy book as a gift and thanked the representatives, stating, “The Qur’an is sacred for Muslims and should be sacred for others. We will always abide by these rules.”
Desecration of Holy Qur’an in Sweden
Putin’s remarks coincided with an incident outside Stockholm’s central mosque, where a man tore up and burned a copy of the Qur’an. The act drew widespread condemnation from Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi foreign ministry issued a statement condemning such acts as promoting hatred, exclusion, racism, and extremism. They emphasized that these actions undermine the values of tolerance, moderation, and mutual respect among nations and peoples.
Subsequently, Swedish police charged the individual responsible for the act with agitation against an ethnic or national group.
The declaration by President Putin underscores Russia’s commitment to respecting the sanctity of the Qur’an and its intention to punish those who engage in its desecration. The move aims to reinforce religious tolerance and promote mutual respect among different communities within the country.
