Maldives condemn the burning of the Holy Quran in Denmark
Two anti-Islam protesters set fire on a copy of Quran in front of the Iraqi embassy in the Danish capital on Monday
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Government of Maldives has strongly condemned the burning of the Holy Quran in front of the Embassy of Iraq in Denmark.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement condemning the despicable act.
The statement read that the recurrence of this despicable act which is driven by hate and ignorance cannot be justified under the guise of freedom of expression.
Noting that the world has made significant strides toward eradicating racism, xenophobia, and discrimination, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry noted that allowing these despicable acts of hate crimes only serves to foster an atmosphere of fear, intolerance, and distrust among communities, rendering years of progress futile.
The statement further read that it is high time that the international community unite unequivocally to condemn these appalling acts of religious hatred against Islam. As such the Ministry stated that the world must stand together against hatred, bigotry, and discrimination, and work towards building a world where every individual can co-exist in peace.
The Government of Maldives urgently called upon the international community to address this issue collectively and take strong measures to stop the recurrence of such acts of religious hatred against Islam.
Two anti-Islam protesters set fire on a copy of Quran in front of the Iraqi embassy in the Danish capital on Monday.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said he condemned the Koran burning.
"These provocative and shameful acts do not represent the views of the Danish government. Appeal to all to deescalate - violence must never be the response," Rasmussen said in a tweet.
Iraq's foreign ministry called on authorities of EU countries to "quickly reconsider so-called freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate".
Protesters gathered in Baghdad on Saturday amid heavy security, with bridges leading to the Green Zone that houses many foreign embassies shut after an attempt by demonstrators to get to the Danish Embassy.
An Iraqi foreign ministry spokesperson said Danish staff at the embassy had left Iraq two days ago.
He did not elaborate on the reason or the exact timing.
A spokesperson for the Danish foreign ministry said the embassy in Baghdad had been closed for summer vacation since July 22. She said that they have not withdrawn from Iraq.
The spokesperson declined to comment on whether staff had left the country or not for the duration of the closure.
Demonstrations have raged across Iran and Iraq after Denmark and Sweden allowed the burning of the Quran under rules protecting free speech. Protesters in Iraq set the Swedish embassy in Baghdad alight on Thursday.
Thousands of people also demonstrated in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Monday against the desecration of the Quran in Denmark and Sweden.
The protest was organized by the Houthi movement that controls much of northwestern Yemen including the capital Sanaa since late 2014.
Protesters held up copies of the Koran as they chanted slogans denouncing the burning of the Quran. Other protesters waved daggers, pistols and AK-47 rifles.
Additionally, Turkey has also strongly condemned the despicable attack on the Quran in front of Iraq's embassy in Copenhagen, and called on Denmark to take necessary measures to prevent this hate crime against Islam.
