The Government of Maldives has strongly condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran in Copenhagen, Denmark carried out by Rasmus Paludan, leader of the far-right political party of Sweden, Stram Kurs.

The statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives states that the recurrence of this deeply despicable and disrespectful act simply cannot be conflated with freedom of speech, which hurts the religious sentiments of millions of Muslims across the world.

The Ministry reiterated that these appalling acts of islamophobia undermine all efforts to uphold the values of tolerance and increase the rise of islamophobia around the world and pose a greater threat to the principles of peace, unity, and co-existence.

Earlier this month, the Maldives condemned his repulsive act of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden as well, stressing 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.

On 21 January, leader of the far-right political party burned a copy of the Holy Quran in Sweden. Stockholm authorities allowed Paludan to burn a copy of the Holy Quran in the middle of protests outside the Embassy of Turkey in Stockholm.

On 27 January, he burned a copy of the Holy Quran in Denmark, Copenhagen, in front of a mosque after the Friday prayer. He stayed in front of the mosque, burning the copy of Holy Quran and even insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The notables of the congregation advised those coming out of the mosque to leave the area to avoid the provocation.

The Danish police closed the street for entrances and exits while it took strict security measures around the mosque. It was also seen that a group of young Muslims, who had water and fire extinguisher in their hands, was warned by the police.

These disrespectful acts have been condemned by many Muslim and Arab nations. As such, many countries across the globe is condemning the act that has provoked the emotions of the Muslim communities across the globe and incited grief in their hearts.

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.