JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned the recent despicable acts of aggression against the sanctity of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark.
In a resolution at the 18th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC held in Jeddah, the Islamic body deeply regretted the permission by the authorities in both countries for such actions, and their failure to take necessary measures to prevent these acts.
The OIC decided to dispatch a delegation led by the Secretary-General to engage with the Commission of the European Union.
The delegation will to voice the OIC member states’ concerns and demand the prevention of these criminal acts under the guise of freedom of expression.
The Extraordinary CFM adopted a comprehensive resolution expressing grave concern over increasing incidents of intolerance, discrimination and rising Islamophobia.
It reaffirmed the importance of the 8-point action plan unanimously agreed upon by UN Human Rights Council to counter incitement to hatred, discrimination, stigmatization and violence based on religion and belief.
It also called on all governments to fully implement the existing legal and administrative framework or adopt new legislation to protect all individuals against hatred and violence based on religion and belief.
Earlier OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha has called upon the Danish authorities to take necessary measures to prevent such recurrence of disrespect towards the Holy Quran and Islamic symbols.
Talking to Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Rasmussen via phone today, he expressed the concerns about the recurrence of such incidents.
Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs indicated that his country’s government has condemned and denounced the disrespect towards the Holy Quran and expressed their strong disapproval of such actions.
He noted that the government is diligently examining the matter with great concern, emphasizing Denmark’s commitment to maintaining friendly relations and cooperation with the OIC member states.
