Imran slams Islamophobic act in Sweden

Strongly condemn burning of Holy Quran yesterday at a protest in Sweden, says PTI chairman

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday strongly condemned the abhorrent act of the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

On Saturday, Rasmus Paludan, leader of the Danish far-right party Stram Kurs (Hard Line), burned the Holy Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm.

In a tweet, Imran said: "Strongly condemn burning of Holy Quran yesterday at a protest in Sweden."

Strongly condemn burning of Holy Quran yesterday at a protest in Sweden. Last March on our govt's initiative the UNGA passed OIC sponsored landmark Res on International Day to Combat Islamophobia. It recognised that Islamophobic acts were not an expression of freedom of speech.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 22, 2023

He said that on the PTI government's initiative last March, UNGA had passed OIC sponsored landmark resolution on International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

"It recognised that Islamophobic acts were not an expression of freedom of speech," it added.

Read: Pakistan assails Islamophobic incidents in Sweden, Netherlands

A day earlier, in its statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said that the "senseless and provocative Islamophobic act" hurt the religious sensitivities of billions of Muslims around the world.

“Such actions are not covered under any legitimate expression of the right to freedom of expression or opinion, which carries responsibilities under international human rights law, such as the obligation not to carry out hate speech and incite people to violence,” the Foreign Office had said.

“Islam is a religion of peace and Muslims, including in Pakistan, believe in respecting all religions. These principles must be supported by all,” the statement had added.

Islamabad had urged the international community to show a common resolve against Islamophobia, xenophobia, intolerance and incitement to violence on the basis of religion or belief, and work together to promote inter-faith harmony and peaceful coexistence.