JABAR EKSPRES – The European Union (EU) on Thursday called on countries to make efforts to combat anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia.
The call was made following the rampant desecration and burning of the Quran that took place in several European countries. The EU views the recent “reckless” attacks on the Muslim holy book, the Quran, in Denmark and Sweden as individual provocations.
“The EU has always emphasized that manifestations of racism, xenophobia and other acts of intolerance have no place in Europe,” EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Nabila Massrali told a press conference on Friday (8/4).
Massrali said the act was incompatible with the values on which the EU was founded, which include respect for people of all faiths.
Read more: Denmark: Quran Blasphemy Ban will not Limit Freedom of Expression
“These reckless acts committed by individual provocateurs only benefit those who wish to divide us and our societies,” she added.
He reiterated that the EU emphasizes the importance of promoting freedom of religion or belief for Muslims and combating religious intolerance and anti-Muslim hatred.
It also called on countries to combat intolerance, violence and discrimination against Muslims.
Last week, EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell reiterated the bloc’s strong and unequivocal opposition to any form of incitement to hatred and religious intolerance.
“The desecration of the Quran or any other book that we consider holy, is offensive, disrespectful and a real provocation,” Borrell said.
In recent months, there have been repeated acts of burning and desecration of the holy Quran by Islamophobic activists and groups, especially in Europe and Scandinavian countries such as Denmark and Sweden.
