Norway to distribute 10,000 copies of Holy Quran to fight racism, hate

Decision comes after an extreme right-wing group in the European country tried to burn a copy of the holy book

STOCKHOLM: Norway's Muslim associations have announced they would distribute 10,000 copies of the Holy Quran with Norwegian translations in an effort to fight racism and hate.

It will be a collaboration with the Islam Literature Association and the Minhajul Quran mosque, the Norwegian Muslim Arts and Culture Association reported.

The decision came after an extreme right-wing group tried to burn a copy of the holy book during a protest in Kristiansand, a city populated with migrants.

Stop the Islamisation of Norway (SION) members were prevented from the desecrating by police, however, the group’s leader threw the holy book in the garbage.

Turkey, Pakistan, Iran reacted strongly to the November 16 incident by issuing their formal condemnations.

"We want to respond to negative actions by spreading love and knowledge as taught by the Holy Quran," said Muslim Arts and Culture Association in a statement, indicating that the copies would be handed out via the internet.

Turkey's Ambassador to Oslo Fazli Corman told Anadolu Agency his office closely follows developments that concern the welfare of Norway’s Muslim community.

After receiving reactions from the Muslim community, Kallmyr held a meeting with the Islam Council of Norway.

"Minister Kallmyr, who met representatives of the Islamic Council yesterday, said that Norway has distanced itself from the anti-Islamic organisation and said it does not provide any support to this organisation," Corman said.

Kallmyr said that Norwegian Muslim community's safety was as important as the Norwegian citizens.