Iran urges Denmark to avert acts of sacrilege

Iran's foreign minister condemned the desecration of the holy Quran in Denmark under the pretext of freedom of speech, calling on the Scandinavian government to act responsibly and prevent a recurrence of such sacrilegious moves.

Following the repetition of the desecration of Islamic sanctities in Denmark, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen held a telephone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian on Wednesday.

Rasmussen expressed regret over the defiling of the holy Quran, saying Denmark strongly condemns any insult to the holy book of Muslims.

He stressed that although freedom of speech, freedom of religion and peaceful rallies are the main pillars of the Danish constitution, some people abuse it, which Copenhagen finds unacceptable.

Rasmussen added that a small number of people should not be viewed as the representatives of the Danish people.

For his part, Amir-Abdollahian described the initiative of Denmark to call Iran and the Danish government’s move to condemn this act as important. He underlined the necessity of punishing those who insult the holy Quran, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

Condemning the recent desecration of the holy Quran, Amir-Abdollahian said freedom of speech is not a concept that would condone targeting and attacking religious values.

On this basis, the repetition of such petty and sacrilegious acts, which is a reminder of the age of ignorance, is condemned in the strongest possible words, he underlined.

The Iranian foreign minister reiterated that the recent affronts hurt the pure feelings of Muslims and the followers of other Abrahamic religions and the latest resolution of the United Nations General Assembly regarding the issue is remarkable.

He further referred to the repetition of the disgusting phenomenon of defiling the holy Quran and the issuance of necessary warnings through diplomatic channels.

Amir-Abdollahian emphasized that the Danish government is seriously expected to prevent the repetition of such acts by assuming its responsibility in this regard and by taking effective measures to hold the perpetrators to account through meting out severe punishment.

The two sides also stressed the importance of maintaining and boosting the ties between Iran and Denmark.

ME