Pakistan condemns Islamophobic act in Denmark

MoFA says same Islamophobe desecrated Holy Quran in Sweden

ISLAMABAD:

For the third time this week after The Netherlands and Sweden, Pakistan has strongly condemned the act of desecration of the Holy Quran in Denmark.

According to an official statement issued on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the "senseless and deeply offensive act" that was carried out by the same Islamophobe, Danish politician Rasmus Paludan, who committed a similar act in Sweden a few days ago.

"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 statement said.

The spokesperson called into question the legal framework behind which Islamophobes hide and spread hatred with impunity.

It stated that at a time 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.

It reiterated Pakistan's position that freedom of expression came with responsibilities, adding that it was the responsibility of the national governments as well as the international community to prevent such racist and Islamophobic acts.

The spokesperson added that Pakistan’s concerns were being conveyed to the authorities in Denmark.

"We urge them 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," it said.

Last week, the anti-immigrant politician from the far-right fringe, Paludan, burned a copy of the holy book near the Turkish Embassy in Sweden.

A similar incident took place in The Netherlands this week, when a far-right Dutch politician desecrated a copy of the Holy Quran, tearing out its pages and burning them.