Saudi Arabia denounced the attempt of an extremist group to tear up copies of the Holy Quran in front of a number of embassies in The Hague, in the Netherlands.
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed the Kingdom’s total rejection of such hateful and repeated acts, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Furthermore, the minister asserted that these acts cannot be accepted under any justifications, highlighting the necessary mutual respect for relations between peoples and countries
“Such acts clearly incite hatred and racism, and directly contradict international efforts seeking to spread the values of tolerance, and moderation, apart from rejecting extremism,” the statement read.
In like manner, Qatar strongly commended the vile incident and called it a serious provocation intended to stir up public opinion and inflame the feelings of Muslims.
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that allowing infringement of the Holy Quran under the pretext of freedom of expression fuels hatred and violence and threatens peaceful coexistence.
The ministry renewed Qatar’s full support for the values of tolerance and its keenness to establish the principles of international peace and security through dialogue and understanding.
Earlier this month, Swedish authorities reported the arrest of three individuals today, following violent confrontations in an immigrant district of Malmö. The clashes erupted after an activist set fire to a copy of the Quran.
ABC News has described the confrontations as “violent riots”. Swedish law enforcement officials were targeted with stone-throwing, and multiple vehicles were set ablaze during the disorder.
Similar incidents of burning the Quran have previously incited vehement protests in Muslim-majority nations, leading to attacks on Swedish diplomatic missions.
In response to the rising tensions, Islamic country leaders have urged Sweden to explore means to prevent such actions.
The Swedish government announced it will start examining legal possibilities that would empower police to deny protest permits due to national security concerns.
