- Pakistan condemns the Swedish authorities for allowing the public desecration of the Torah and Bible in Stockholm.
- The protest, scheduled in response to the burning of the Holy Quran outside a mosque, is set to include the burning of the Torah and the Bible.
- Pakistan calls for global condemnation of these acts of religious hatred and emphasizes the need for mutual respect and peaceful coexistence among religions and cultures.
Pakistan condemns Swedish authorities for permitting desecration of religious texts
Pakistan expressed strong disapproval on Saturday towards the Swedish authorities for allowing the public desecration of the Torah and Bible in Stockholm. This incident occurred just days after an individual desecrated the Holy Quran outside a mosque in the capital city of Sweden.
The Foreign Office issued a statement denouncing these offensive acts of religious hatred, emphasizing that they cannot be justified under the pretext of freedom of expression and opinion.
Swedish police revealed that they had granted a permit for a protest, which involved the burning of holy texts outside the Israeli embassy in Stockholm. This move garnered condemnation from Israel and various Jewish organizations.
The controversial protest, scheduled for today, was organized in response to the recent burning of the Holy Quran outside Stockholm’s main mosque. That act had sparked outrage and condemnation globally.
According to the application submitted to the police, the demonstration aims to support freedom of speech and would include the burning of both the Torah and the Bible.
In response to the situation, the Stockholm police clarified that they issue permits for public gatherings and expressing opinions but not specifically for burning religious texts.
The Foreign Office of Pakistan emphasized that Islam, as a religion of peace, calls for respect for all religions, sacred personalities, and holy scriptures. They have consistently advocated for mutual respect, harmony, and peaceful coexistence among different religions, faiths, and cultures.
The FO called on the international community to unite in condemning such abhorrent acts of religious hatred that not only hurt the sentiments of believers but also amount to deliberate incitement.
Source: Additional input from AFP.
Published in PakWeb, July 15, 2023.
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