The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan condemned the acts of burning the Quran in Denmark and Sweden. The foreign policy agency noted its rejection of the protest actions taking place in the West involving the burning of the book that is sacred to all Muslims. “Acts of desecration of the Quran are offensive to […]
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan condemned the acts of burning the Quran in Denmark and Sweden.
The foreign policy agency noted its rejection of the protest actions taking place in the West involving the burning of the book that is sacred to all Muslims.
“Acts of desecration of the Quran are offensive to Muslims around the world and provoke inter-religious conflict,” the Tajikistan MFA stated.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also emphasized that the country’s diplomatic representation condemns “any manifestation of intolerance, extremism and terrorism, hostility, war, and conflicts.”
The statement from the Tajikistan MFA condemning the burning of the Quran in Europe came against the backdrop of Tajikistan recently ranking among the lowest positions in an international rating of the least free countries in the world, with the country facing criticism for gross violations of the religious rights of its residents. According to international organizations, it is unsafe for men with beards and women in hijabs in Tajikistan. The threat may also be linked to wearing traditional Islamic clothing. This danger comes from both representatives of the authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Earlier, on June 28, the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday, 37-year-old Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika burned a copy of the Quran in a square near the main mosque in Stockholm. His actions sparked a wave of protests from Muslims around the world. Authorities in some Muslim countries urged the Swedish government to prevent such provocative actions, as they do not represent a sign of freedom of speech and expression.
During a repeat action outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm on July 20, Momika stomped on the Quran and attempted to set it on fire, but the book did not ignite.
Following the Quran burning incident, thousands of Muslims held protests in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Iraq, Palestine, Senegal, and other countries in condemnation of the Quran burning. The head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, also condemned the act of burning the sacred book for Muslims – the Quran in Stockholm.
On July 12, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution condemning the burning of the Quran and sacred books as an act that provokes the promotion of hatred, incitement to violence, and enmity worldwide. The resolution was supported by 28 countries, while 12 voted against it, and 7 abstained. Notably, the United States, the United Kingdom, and EU countries voted against the resolution.
Sheikh Al-Azhar also referred to those responsible for the burning of the Quran as “criminals” and “terrorists” in his statement and emphasized that Arab and Islamic countries should take a more serious stance regarding Sweden’s hostile policies towards Islam and Muslims.
After all this, on July 24, two members of the group “Danish Patriots” trampled and set fire to the Quran outside the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen, placing it on the ground next to the Iraqi flag. Last week, members of the group carried out a similar act in front of the Iraqi embassy in Denmark.
Among the presidents of Central Asia, the burning of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark was first condemned by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.