ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Muslim and Christian religious leaders strongly condemned the desecration of the holy Qur’an on Sunday and stressed the need to respect all holy scriptures, religions and promote interfaith harmony.
Muslim countries around the world were outraged last month when an Iraqi Christian immigrant burnt a copy of the holy Qur’an outside a mosque in Stockholm. Following the incident, the United Nations passed a Pakistan-backed resolution that called for the UN rights chief to publish a report on religious hatred and for states to review their laws and plug gaps that may “impede the prevention and prosecution of acts and advocacy of religious hatred.”
On Saturday, a 32-year-old man in Stockholm who was allowed by Swedish police to burn the Torah outside the Israeli embassy, called off the protest, saying that his motive was to denounce those who burn sacred books such as the Qur’an.
The joint press conference by Pakistan’s Muslim and Christian leadership was organized by Chairman Pakistan Ulama Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi. It was attended by several leaders, including the representative of the Church of Pakistan, Pastor Emanuel Khokhar, and Pastor Salim.
“The religious leadership of Pakistan’s Muslims and Christians set a great precedent of religious harmony and addressing a press conference along with the Torah, Zabur, Injil [bible], and the Qur’an, said that all heavenly religions and their holy things are worthy to be honored and respected,” a statement from the Pakistan Ulema Council read.
“No individual, community, country, or organization should be allowed to give the right to desecrate any divine book or Prophet and Messenger of Allah Almighty,” it added.
The council said that it was unacceptable for the Swedish government to allow the burning of the Torah, Zabur, and the Bible after allowing the desecration of the holy Qur’an.
“The European Union and the United Nations should immediately take notice of this and legislate on it and make a law to respect the sanctities of all heavenly religions at the global level,” the Pakistan Ulema Council said, adding that all those who follow violence are not representatives of any religion.
During the news conference, the Muslim and Christian religious leaders also said that minorities in Pakistan have full rights, addiing that one cannot be allowed to usurp them.
