Jordan condemns Qur’an burning in Denmark

Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has denounced the burning of a copy of the Qur’an in the Danish capital Copenhagen on July 21, 2023. (Petra)
Short Url
Updated 22 July 2023
Follow

Jordan condemns Qur’an burning in Denmark

  • Jordan described the incident as an “act of hatred and a manifestation of Islamophobia and inciting violence and disrespecting religions”
  • The Foreign Affairs Ministry stressed its rejection of irresponsible behaviors that provoke Muslims’ feelings and fuel hatred

AMMAN: Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has denounced the burning of a copy of the Qur’an in the Danish capital Copenhagen, reported Jordan News Agency on Saturday.
Citing a statement issued by the ministry, Jordan described the Qur’an burning incident as an “act of hatred and a manifestation of Islamophobia and inciting violence and disrespecting religions.”
The ministry further stressed its rejection and denunciation of irresponsible behavior that provoke Muslims’ feelings, fuel hatred, and threaten peaceful coexistence.
The recurrence of such racist acts and behaviors, it added, oblige the international community to address and ban them, pass laws that criminalize and prevent insulting religious symbols and sanctities, work to spread a culture of peace and acceptance of the other, raise awareness of the values of common respect, enrich the values of harmony and tolerance, and reject extremism, fanaticism and incitement to hatred.
On Friday, the extreme right group Danske Patrioter posted on its Facebook page a video of a man burning what seemed to be a Qur’an and trampling an Iraqi flag.
Copenhagen’s police deputy chief, Trine Fisker, said that “not more than a handful” of protesters had gathered Friday across from the Iraqi Embassy.
“I can also confirm there was a book burnt. We do not know which book it was,” she said.


El-Sisi hails development of Egypt-EU relations

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi receives EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in Cairo on Saturday. (X photo)
Updated 4 sec ago
Follow

El-Sisi hails development of Egypt-EU relations

  • El-Sisi and Kallas both stressed the need for full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement to ensure regular and unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave

CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday praised the development of his country’s relationship with the European Union, “emphasizing the importance of sustaining efforts to deepen cooperation, especially after relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership,” according to state media.

El-Sisi made the remarks during a meeting with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas.

El-Sisi and Kallas both stressed the need for full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire agreement to ensure regular and unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid into the enclave.

“During the meeting, Kallas expressed the European side’s appreciation for the ongoing cooperation with Egypt in various fields,” presidential spokesman Mohamed El-Shennawy said.

This cooperation was reflected in the holding of the first Egypt-EU summit in Brussels in October 2025, Kallas said.

The meeting addressed various other aspects of bilateral relations, with El-Sisi emphasizing the importance of implementing the outcomes of the first Egypt-EU summit and enhancing consultation and coordination on issues of mutual concern, particularly in political and security spheres, to support regional security and stability, according to the spokesman.

EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Christophe Bigot was also present at the meeting, along with Rosamaria Gili, the deputy managing director for the Middle East and North Africa at the European External Action Service; Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty; head of the EU delegation to Egypt Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst; Christine O’Dwyer, a member of Kallas’ cabinet; and other senior EU officials.

Abdelatty said on Thursday that Egypt expects the remaining €4 billion ($4.66 billion) of a previously ​announced macro-financial assistance package from the EU to be disbursed in three tranches by 2027, and that he hoped the first tranche would be released “in the coming days” after Cairo completed its fifth and sixth program reviews with the International Monetary Fund, Reuters reported.

In 2024, the EU announced a €7.4 billion funding package for Egypt, including €5 billion in concessional ​loans. The package also includes investments and grants, and was partly a response to Egypt’s worsening financial position following the Gaza war, Red Sea tension and the economic fallout from the war in ‌Ukraine.