Conflicts & War

Pakistan PM calls for nationwide protests against Quran burning in Sweden

Islamabad, Jul 5 (EFE).- Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for nationwide protests on Friday against the recent desecration of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, in Sweden, official sources said Wednesday.

Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee living in Sweden, desecrated the Quran and set fire to some of its pages during a protest in front of Stockholm’s largest mosque last week.

The act drew widespread outrage and condemnation from several countries, including Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, Iran and Iraq, as well as the European Union.

Pakistan government spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said the prime minister took the decision during a meeting on Tuesday in which the issue of desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden was discussed.

“In the meeting, the prime minister decided that Jul. 7 (Friday) would be observed as Yaum-e-Taqaddus Quran (Sanctity of Quran Day) and a nationwide protest would be held against the Sweden incident,” Aurangzeb told EFE.

A statement from the PM office said that Sharif appealed to the entire nation, including all political parties, to participate in the protests so a strong message is sent from Pakistan in this regard.

“Honoring the Holy Quran is part of our faith, (and) we are all united for it,” Sharif was quoted as addressing the meeting.

He stressed that peace loving nations and leaders around the world who believe in coexistence should block the path of violent forces victim to Islamophobia and religious prejudices.

“Misguided minds are following a nefarious agenda by spreading the negative trend of Islamophobia,” said the prime minister.

Sharif has also called for a joint session of the Parliament on Thursday to devise a national plan of action against the Sweden incident, and comes after his call for immediate action against those responsible.

“Our demand is that, immediately without any further delay, an action be taken against the perpetrators,” Sharif had said on Monday. EFE

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