ISLAMABAD: Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari raised concern on the recent incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran in Denmark and other European countries.
The foreign minister received a call from his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen and raised deep concern on the recent incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran in Denmark.
While acknowledging the Danish government’s outreach to the Muslim world and condemnation of these abhorrent acts, the foreign minister stressed the need for stopping Islamophobic acts that hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world.
He also emphasized the need to promote interfaith harmony and religious tolerance.
Earlier, Foreign Minister condemned in the strongest terms Islamophobic and hateful acts of desecration of the Holy Quran, which manifested religious hatred and intolerance.
The minister was speaking at the 18th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held in a virtual format.
The Extraordinary CFM was convened to debate the recurring incidents of the desecration of the Holy Quran, which has hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world.
Addressing the CFM, he underscored that these acts, and the permission to carry them out, did not constitute freedom of expression.
The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to work closely with OIC member countries especially in Jeddah, Geneva, and New York to highlight concerns about the willful acts of the burning and desecration of the Holy Quran.
He welcomed the adoption of resolutions in the UN Human Rights Council & the UN General Assembly advocating inter religious dialogue and shunning religious hatred. He also called for promoting inter-faith harmony and peaceful co-existence.