Al-Azhar Condemns Burning Quran in Sweden

Al-Azhar expressed strong dissatisfaction and denunciation of Swedish extremists' burning of copies of the Holy Quran, describing those who did so as "terrorists".

In a statement, Al-Azhar stressed that what happened was "a deliberate repetition of this shameful act despite its violation of all international laws and covenants that stipulate the necessity of respecting the sanctities of peoples, their beliefs and their religions."

Al-Azhar reiterated its call for "the necessity of enacting international legislation that prevents abuse of religious sanctities and of nations and peoples. It also called for ensuring the necessary guarantees to protect the rights of Muslims to practice their religious rites in the societies in which they live."

Egypt condemned in the strongest terms the deliberate abuse of the Holy Quran by a group of far-right extremists in Sweden, and the consequent inflamation of the feelings of Muslims around the world during the holy month of Ramadan.

This incident comes among the extreme right-wing practices that incite against immigrants in general and Muslims in particular.

In a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Egypt confirmed its refusal to prejudice religious principles and beliefs, whatever they are, and to engage in provocative practices that are incompatible with all human values and principles.

Egypt emphasized the need to respect the right to freedom of religion and belief as a basic human right. It called for upholding the common denominators of tolerance, acceptance of others and peaceful coexistence among peoples.

The statement stressed the need to renounce calls for incitement and hatred, and to stop acts of violence, sabotage and provocative actions that would harm the stability, security and peace of societies.

Endowments minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa also called the burning of a Quran a “despicable, racist” act that “fuels feeling of hatred.”