ISLAMABAD:Pakistan Monday strongly condemned the recent abhorrent actof desecration of the Holy Quran during rallies in Sweden.
Pakistan also strongly condemned the offensive remarks made by a Dutchpolitician, attacking Islam and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
A Foreign Office spokesperson in a statement, he said, “these mindlessprovocative Islamophobic incidents serve no purpose other than hurting thesensitivities of over 1.5 billion Muslims living all over the world. Suchactions are not covered under legitimate expressions of the right tofreedom of expression or opinion, which carry responsibilities underinternational human rights law, such as the obligation not to carry outhate speech and incite people to violence.”
Muslims, including in Pakistan, unequivocally condemn the practice ofinsulting Islam, Christianity and Judaism alike, and stand against all actsof violence on the basis of religion or belief. These principles must beequally respected and supported by all, he added.
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“The international community needs to show a common resolve againstxenophobia, intolerance and incitement to violence on the basis of religionor belief, and work together for promoting inter-faith harmony and peacefulco-existence.That has been the spirit behind the OIC’s recent initiativeled by Pakistan at the UN General Assembly to designate 15 March as theInternational Day to Combat Islamophobia.”
“Pakistan’s concerns have been conveyed to the authorities in Sweden andThe Netherlands. They have been urged to take cognizance of the sentimentsof the people of Pakistan and the Muslims worldwide and take steps toprevent Islamophobic incidents,” he said adding, “We call on theinternational community to demonstrate solidarity and commitment to theideals of building peaceful and harmonious societies for the betterment ofhumanity.”
