Malaysia condemns Islamophobic act of Quran burning in Denmark

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia has condemned in the strongest terms the despicable and repeated acts of burning the Holy Quran in Denmark on March 24 and March 31.

Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) in a statement today said this was not the first time such a heinous act has been carried out in Denmark this year.

Despite repeated rejection and strong condemnation by Muslims worldwide, the ministry said Denmark government's refusal to stop this vile act is utterly unacceptable.

"The Islamophobic act carried out during the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims are required to exercise patience and self-restraint, is nothing more than the spreading of hatred and incitement to violence," the statement read.

Malaysia called upon Denmark government to take serious action against the perpetrators and not to term this heinous act as a freedom of expression, it said.

Malaysia also urged the international community to exert the utmost efforts in ensuring that religious scriptures are fully respected and protected while taking significant action in combating Islamophobia and promoting harmonious relations and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths in accordance with the fundamentals of Human Rights.

In recent months there have seen several acts of Quran burning, or attempts to do so, by Islamophobic figures or groups in northern Europe and Nordic countries, especially in Denmark and Sweden.

-- BERNAMA