Iraq: OIC to Hold Emergency Meeting over Quran Burning
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs unveiled a statement, announcing that foreign ministers of member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will convene an emergency meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the collective actions and stances of member countries in response to the recent incidents of the Quran burning in Sweden and Denmark.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized its commitment to addressing actions that insult the Holy Quran and the sacred beliefs of Muslims. The planned meeting aims to develop collective mechanisms to counter Islamophobia while ensuring that these efforts align with both national and international resolutions against racism and hatred.
In response to the Quran burning incident outside the Iraqi embassy in Denmark, large-scale demonstrations erupted in Baghdad. Protesters attempted to reach the Danish embassy located in the heavily fortified Green Zone, but they were prevented by security forces who also closed the Republic Bridge leading to the area.
The ICO’s announcement comes in the wake of reports of a new desecration of the Quran in Denmark. The extremist Danish group “Danksi Patriots” posted a video on Facebook showing an individual burning what appears to be a Quran and subsequently stepping on the Iraqi flag.
In a statement, Copenhagen Police official Ternieh Visker confirmed a small demonstration in front of the Iraqi embassy and acknowledged that a book was burned, although they were unsure of its nature.
Earlier, another group of protesters set fire to the Swedish embassy in Baghdad last week, as documented by video footage showing flames rising from the Swedish embassy building less than an hour after it was stormed.
