OIC calls emergency meeting over desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has convened an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee over the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

The meeting, scheduled to be held next week, will mull over measures to devise a joint strategy.  In a press release, the organization condemned the recurrence of these despicable attacks.

The European Union too condemned the desecration outside Stockholm’s central mosque, describing the act as “offensive, and disrespectful and a clear act of provocation.”

“Manifestations of racism, xenophobia and related intolerance have no place in Europe,” Nabila Massrali, the EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, said in a statement.

“The EU joins the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its strong rejection of the burning of a [copy of the Holy] Quran by an individual in Sweden. This act in no way reflects the opinions of the European Union.”

She added, “It is even more deplorable that such an act was carried out on the important Muslim celebration of Eidul Azha.”

“Racism, hatred, and intolerance have no place in Europe. It is time to stand together for mutual understanding and respect.  Time has come to stop the escalating conflict.”

The act invited ire among the Ummah and condemnation from several states, including Pakistan, Turkey, Jordan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Iraq and Iran.

Thousands of protesters gathered outside the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, calling for cutting diplomatic ties with Sweden.

A protest outside the Swedish Embassy in Iran was held and demonstrated severe punishment for those who desecrate Quran

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs in Tehran to register the protest over the act