Momen denounces Quran burning in address to OIC Council of Foreign Ministers

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has denounced the recurrence of the disrespectful and provocative acts of the desecration and burning of copies of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark.

He was speaking at the 18th extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers on the repeated incidents of desecration and burning of Al-Mushaf Al-Sharif, i.e. written copies of the Quran, held virtually on Monday.

Momen also thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for convening the extraordinary session.

Terming Islam as a religion of peace, harmony and brotherhood, the foreign minister stated that Islam strives to provide a complete guide to life through the Holy Quran and Hadiths which is just, honourable and equal for all of humanity.

He further stated that Bangladesh is a secular country where the sanctity of all religions is maintained.

“It is one of the core values of our country which was first pronounced by our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and is embedded in our constitution,” he added.

Expressing grave concern over the recurrence of such Islamophobic acts of insulting the sacred values and religious symbols of the Muslims under the guise of ‘freedom of expression’, Dr Momen called on all concerned to put an end to such unwarranted provocations for the sake of mutual respect, harmony and peaceful coexistence.

At the meeting, Foreign Minister Momen flagged that the acts against Islam particularly the incidents in Sweden and Denmark are based on ignorance.

He urged the OIC Member States to highlight the true teachings of the Holy Quran and dispel the misunderstanding revolving around Islam.

The rising trend of misconception can be curbed by engaging Islamic Scholars to deliver the true teachings of Islam in various forums, he added.

Stressing on the need to stand together for better mutual understanding and tolerance, Foreign Minister Momen encouraged dialogue and communication among nations to avoid similar incidents in future.

“Resolution on the Repeated Crimes of Desecration and Burning of Copies of al-Mus’haf ash-Sharif in the Kingdom of Sweden and the Kingdom of Denmark” and a Statement on Israeli Occupation Government Officials Breaking into the Blessed Al Aqsa Mosque were adopted at the virtual meeting.