ICNA Condemns the Burning of The Quran in Sweden

ICNA strongly condemns the burning of The Quran in front of a Masjid in Sweden on The Day of Eid-ul Adha. All this is happening under the guise of “freedom of speech”.

In January of this year also, a Danish-Swedish man burnt a Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm and that too was endorsed by the Swedish government.
Such despicable act goes against the principles of respect, tolerance, and freedom of belief. Everyone should have the right to practice his or her religion peacefully. Such a vile act towards Islam’s most sacred text is deeply offensive and disrespectful to the beliefs and sentiments of over two billion Muslims worldwide.

Insulting or demeaning other religions solely in the name of “free speech” is deeply hurtful, disrespectful, and can contribute to the discord in society. The west, time and again has proved that their support for freedom of speech is “selective”. Where on one hand they allow and support hateful acts like this one to happen while on the other hand they do not allow oppressed individuals and communities to raise their voice against the barbarism they face in countries like Palestine and Kashmir. While individuals may have the legal right to express their opinions, it is crucial to exercise that right responsibly and with sensitivity towards the beliefs and feelings of others and governments must not condone when it is more of a hate speech than free speech.

If it was the other way around, there would have been a big hue and cry. But just for the records, it is prohibited in Islam to use verbal insults to deities of other faiths let alone to burn their sacred texts. If any true Muslim were to have done that, the Muslim world would outrightly condemn it.

The timing of the burning of Islam’s holy book, during the important Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, is a further insult to the entire Muslim World. This happened on the Day when the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) of his son Prophet Ismail (peace be upon him) is commemorated.

ICNA hopes that we can learn from one another, rather than using this so-called “freedom of speech” as a justification for spreading hate, inciting violence, or perpetuating discrimination. While the door of repentance is always open, the aggressor should know that such an act, Allah Almighty says in 9:63:
“Do they not know that whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger will be in the Fire of Hell forever? That is the ultimate disgrace.”