UAE, Other Arab Countries Denounce Burning Of Quran In Denmark

The UAE has condemned the burning of the Quran in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Friday, saying the world should join hands to prevent the spread of hatred and radicalism.

In a statement, the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) highlighted the importance of revering religious symbols and not committing anything that may spark outrage and division.

The MOFAIC also reaffirmed the UAE's condemnation of practices that aim to undermine security in violation of human and moral values and principles, Khaleej Times reported.

The statement came after a far-right and anti-Muslim group in Denmark known as Patrioterne Gar Live burned a copy of the Islamic sacred book and a Turkish flag in front of the Turkish embassy in Copenhagen on Friday. The move was quick to spark international condemnation from Arab countries, which described the act as a serious provocation against the billions of Muslims around the world.

In a statement following the act, Turkey released a statement saying it would never accept such "vile actions being allowed under the guise of freedom and expression."

"This act, which was carried out in Ramadan, has once again clearly revealed that Islamophobia, discrimination, and xenophobia have reached an alarming level in Europe and that no lessons have been learned from the past," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry urged authorities in Denmark to take legal action against the members of the Patrioterne Gar Live and establish concrete measures to keep the same incitement from happening again.

Meanwhile, Morocco also joined the list of Arab countries denouncing the Quran burning. In a statement following the incident, the country said it condemned the act "in the strongest terms" and asked Danish authorities to take immediate action against the people behind the "irresponsible incendiary acts."

"Although this heinous act was committed in front of the diplomatic representation of another Muslim country, the Kingdom of Morocco considers it a provocative act," said Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In a separate statement, Qatar's Foreign Affairs Ministry also warned against such disrespect toward Islam under "the pretext of freedom and expression," saying the country fully supported the values of "tolerance and coexistence" and was keen on establishing "the principles of international peace and security through dialogue and understanding," i24News reported.