We strongly condemn burning of the Holy Quran
Stockholm has once again been marred by an appalling incident – following an Iraqi-born refugee burning the Holy Quran – outside a mosque on the first day of Eid-ul-Adha. Echoing the sentiment of the rest of the world, we also strongly condemn this repulsive occurrence.
Our Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the Charge d’ Affaires (CDA) at the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka to protest burning of the holy book.
However, this is the repetition of growing Islamophobia in Scandinavia. Barely 5 months ago there were two back-to-back Quran burning incidents, one in Sweden and the other in Denmark that had triggered global outcry of protests.
We apprehend such vile acts also to be noticeable threats to peaceful co-existence, not only in Europe but anywhere in the world.
The point, however, there are enough reasons to believe that these are not isolated incidents, but a regular series of well coordinated actions among rightwing extremist fractions in Europe , in particular Scandinavia.
Not too long ago, similar acts of hatred had been perpetrated in the Netherlands and at the infamous Guantanamo Bay detention centre.
Most important to note is that, such repulsive Quran burning incidents are not only clashes between religious ideas and beliefs, but also to humiliate and dishonour a noble religion.
That said – we would have surely condemned burning of any other different holy scripture of non-Islamic faith groups scattered across the world – be it the Holy Bible, Torah, Granth Sahib or any other.
Lest we forget, the anti-Islamic spirit that the latest incident has generated reminds us of dark hours of Europe during the time of Second World War and the barbaric treatment of Jews by the Nazis.
Another important message in this regard is that those who justify burning of holy books as ‘freedom of speech’ – racism and hate crimes do not count as freedom of speech under whatever circumstances.
What has happened outside a mosque in Stockholm on Eid day also echoes of growing racist anti-Islamic rhetoric – reminding us of far-right politicians such as Marine Le Pen in France or the British National Party in the UK – representing a long tradition which is constantly reproducing itself by the educational and political system in European countries and beyond.
To finish with, we urge all Muslims across the world to refrain from resorting to any form of reactionary course of action. Reprisal is no solution to end communal discrimination or even wipe-out Islamophobia.
We do not endorse communal hatred or acts of blasphemy, let alone burning of holy religious texts.
Courtesy: The Daily Observer
