Islamabad: Pakistan has condemned the “senseless and deeply offensive act of desecration of the Holy Quran in Denmark”, urging Danish authorities to be “mindful of the sentiments of the people of Pakistan and Muslims” around the world and take steps to prevent such hateful and Islamophobic acts.
In yet another Islamophobic, provocative, and sacrilegious act on Friday, far-right Danish politician Rasmus Paludan burned a copy of the Holy Quran in front of a mosque in Denmark, Anadolu Agency reported.
🔊: PR NO. 1️⃣7️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
Pakistan strongly condemns the act of desecration of the Holy Quran in Denmark
🔗⬇️https://t.co/eaxo38Tb94 pic.twitter.com/MH3RTMt4HP
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) January 28, 2023
The incident took place days after Paludan, the leader of the Danish far-right party Stram Kurs (Hard Line), burned a copy of the Holy Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm on January 21 under police protection and with permission from the authorities.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office condemned the vile act in the “strongest terms”.
“This repetition of the vile act leaves little doubt in the minds of Muslims around the world that freedom of expression is being blatantly abused to spread religious hatred and incitement to violence,” the FO said.
Pakistan also called into question the legal framework behind which the Islamophobes “hide and spread hatred with impunity”.
The statement said that when there was an “increasing need for inter-faith harmony and mutual respect for peaceful coexistence”, the international community could not turn a blind eye to these hate mongers.
The statement reiterated Pakistan’s “considered position” that “freedom of expression comes with responsibilities”.
“Pakistan also believes that it is the responsibility of the national governments as well as the international community to prevent these racist and Islamophobic acts,” it further said.
