The unending and repeated attempts to burn copies of the Holy Quran in Sweden, in a licensed path by the Swedish police and government, require denouncing and condemning this heinous act by some sick individuals who are hired by some Western governments under the pretext of “freedom of opinion and expression.” In support of the freedom of beliefs and the respect of sanctities, the Islamic Radios and Television Union issues the following statement:
First: The Islamic Radios and Television Union slams and denounces this action, and classifies it in the category of attacking the sanctities and dignity of the Islamic nation, and the faith of Muslims. It also affirms that this behavior is full of hatred and challenging of the humanitarian values that urge respecting religions and sanctities. The IRTVU terms the Swedish authorities’ allowing of extremist terrorists to burn copies of the holy book and tearing it apart on several occasions as a bold call for hostility, violence, and sedition.
Second: The IRTVU calls for peaceful protests and rallies, taking all suitable measures that oppose this unethical behavior, and shedding light on the denunciations and popular, official, and diplomatic shows of protest by different countries, associations, organizations, forums, institutions, and individuals. It also urges publishing all events and statements by world countries, organizations, and associations that slam this bad and condemned behavior.
Third: The IRTVU believes that the Swedish government in particular, and the European countries in general, allowing such attacks against the symbols and sanctities of Muslims, clearly unveil their claims and double standards when it comes the values and sanctities, and undoubtedly exposes the ethical level to which the Western governments declined, in addition to their hypocrisy and fake values they claim to support.
Fourth: The IRTVU considers insulting the divine books as a translation of hostility and spreading hatred, a matter that contradicts the authentic values of human rights. It also labels this action as hostile to Islam and Muslims, an insult to their most important sanctity, spreading hatred for Islam, inciting Islamophobia, and stirring violence, which is another decline for the West’s double standards.
Fifth: The IRTVU underlines the importance of differentiating between the freedom of opinion and expression and violating the rights of others and attacking their sanctities. This is because this ‘heinous’ behavior shows the hostile spirit that has nothing to do with the freedom of expression or the sublime humanitarian values, but rather a racial act that incites violence and hatred.
Sixth: The IRTVU stresses the necessity not to be dragged to any sedition or to decline to such unethical, inhumane, and unvalued behaviors. It also calls for avoiding prejudice, reactions, and insulting other sanctities, not to meet the goals the inciters of this malign scheme are pursuing.
Kindly do accept the utmost respect and appreciation
Islamic Radios and Television Union
Secretary General
Ali Karimian
