Addressing the Root Causes of Koran Burnings: OIC calls for Collective Measures
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a group of Muslim majority nations founded in 1969, has expressed solidarity with the Muslim community in Sweden and condemned the desecration of the holy Koran. In response to the burning of a copy of the Koran outside a Stockholm mosque, the OIC held an extraordinary meeting to address the incident. The OIC's secretary general condemned the act and called for unified and collective measures to prevent its recurrence.
The OIC, which was founded in 1969 and groups Muslim majority nations, expressed its "solidarity with the Muslim community in Sweden," condemning the "desecration of the holy Koran". The group also expressed "deep concern" over the growth of "Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred" in Europe and the United States.
Addressing the Root Causes of Koran Burnings: OIC calls for Collective Measures The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) held an extraordinary meeting at its Jeddah headquarters on Sunday, to address the burning of a copy of the Koran outside a Stockholm mosque. The incident was committed by an Iraqi citizen living in Sweden, Salwan Momika, 37, and coincided with the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday and the end of the annual hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
The OIC secretary general, Hissein Brahim Taha, condemned Momika's actions as "a despicable act", and called for unified and collective measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. The OIC urged member states to take action to send a clear message that desecration of the Koran is not to be tolerated. The OIC has also expressed deep concern over the growth of "Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred" in Europe and the United States. Demonstrations have taken place near the Swedish embassy in Iraq's capital in response to the Koran burning. Furthermore, Iran has stated that it is withholding the sending of its new ambassador to Sweden, Hojjatollah Faghani, over the burning.
The OIC has also expressed its solidarity with the Muslim community in Sweden, denouncing the desecration of the holy Koran. The OIC has called for a greater understanding of the Islamic faith, as well as culture and traditions, to promote dialogue and harmony between different communities. In the wake of the incident, Swedish police have opened an investigation into the burning, and are looking into whether Momika has violated the country's laws on agitation.
The OIC has called for greater international law to be applied to the situation, to ensure that religious hatred is not advocated. The OIC's goal is to promote a greater understanding of Islam, and to prevent further incidents of Koran burnings. The organisation's actions reflect the need for collective measures to be taken to protect religious freedom, and to ensure that such acts of desecration do not occur again.
