Maldives condemns burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden

Maldives has strongly condemned the burning of the Holy Quran in the Swedish capital, Stockholm.

In a statement released on Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the Maldivian government “strongly” condemns the repulsive act of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden on Saturday.

The government stressed that such acts of Islamophobia undermine all efforts to uphold the values of tolerance and coexistence, only serving to exacerbate hatred and extremism within societies despite the progress made in building bridges of understanding and social cohesion.

Leader of the far-right political party Stram Kurs, Rasmus Paludan burned a copy of the Holy Quran in Sweden, after which it has come under fire, with many countries across the globe condemning the act that has provoked the emotions of the Muslim communities across the globe and incited grief in their hearts.

Stockholm authorities allowed Paludan to burn a copy of the Holy Quran in the middle of protests outside the Embassy of Turkey in Stockholm.

Many countries across the globe have been condemning the act which fuels violence as well as hate speech and is deemed no different than an act of terrorism.

The government of Sweden has also condemned the act, with the country’s foreign minister noting that “Islamophobic provocations are appalling."

Saturday’s protests against Turkey and Sweden's bid to join NATO, including the burning of a copy of the Holy Quran have sharply heightened tensions with Turkey.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Foreign Minister has also condemned the “vile” attack on the holy book in the strongest possible terms, adding that allowing this anti-Islam act which targets the Muslim communities and insults their sacred values, under the guise of “freedom of expression”, is “completely unacceptable”.

Turkey’s Ministry has called on the government of Sweden to take the necessary actions against the perpetrators.