KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia government summoned the Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia, His Excellency Dr. Joachim Bergström on Monday, expressing strong condemnation over the recent desecration of the Holy Quran in Stockholm, Sweden on 20th July 2023.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement said, this marks the third time such a vile act took place in Sweden this year, after the first and second incidents in January and June 2023, respectively.
The statement added, during the meeting, the Ministry reiterated Malaysia’s objection and disappointment over the Swedish Government for granting approval and allowing such a derogative act towards the Holy Quran to be carried out repeatedly in Sweden under the pretext of freedom of speech.
“Although the burning of the Holy Quran failed in the recent incident, the provocative act of stomping the Holy Book still caused immense distress and offended millions of Muslims worldwide.
“The Ministry also stressed to the Ambassador that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly and with due regard for the religious sensitivities of diverse global communities. Such acts of disrespect towards any religion have the potential to incite religious hatred and undermine the harmony and peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths,” the statement said.
The Ministry in the statement also urged the Swedish Government to reassess the fairness and equal application of freedom of speech and to take immediate and necessary measures to end “structural Islamophobia.”- Malaysia World News
