Sharp reaction of Muslim countries for burning Quran

Pakistan presented a resolution regarding the burning of Quran in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). During the debate on the proposal, Islamic countries and Western countries came face to face regarding freedom of expression. Many Muslim countries including Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia said that this incident serves to increase religious hatred and such incidents cannot be promoted in the name of freedom of expression. At the same time, Western countries said that freedom of expression sometimes means tolerating intolerable views. During the debate on the motion, Muslim countries sought to fix accountability for the burning of the Quran in Sweden, terming it an act inspired by Islamophobia. He was crushed by his feet and handed over to the fire. Muslim countries have been infuriated ever since the video of this incident surfaced. Many Muslim countries including Iraq, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia had expressed their protest by summoning the ambassadors of Sweden. Pakistan had also expressed strong opposition to this incident and on Tuesday, in the United Nations Human Rights Council, Pakistan presented a resolution demanding that the UN Human Rights Council submit a report on the issue. The resolution called on countries to review their laws and address loopholes that make it difficult to prevent religious hatred. The differences were clearly visible. Western countries looked concerned that there are many challenges in the way of freedom of expression and protection of rights. Bilawal said, ‘We should see what it is after all…an attempt to incite hatred, discrimination and violence against religion.’ Bilawal said that the incident took place after the approval of the government and the person who set it ablaze knew that he would not be punished in any way. Ministers of Iran, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia supported Bilawal Bhutto’s words. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the incident was inspired by Islamophobia. He said, ‘Stop abusing the freedom of expression. If you are silent on this issue, it means that you are also involved in it. During the debate on the motion, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal said, ‘The government of Saudi Arabia is committed to strengthen the values of dialogue, tolerance and respect. And emphasizes the need to reject everything that spreads hatred and extremism. He further said, ‘We strongly condemn the burning of copies of the Holy Quran by the extremists. These reprehensible acts cannot be accepted in any way as these incidents incite hatred, and racism. Such incidents directly undermine international efforts to promote tolerance, restraint and prevent extremism. Due to disagreement on the proposal, it could not be passed on Tuesday. The proposal will now be voted on and it is being said that the proposal will definitely be passed because 19 countries are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the UN Human Rights Council with 47 member countries. Also, apart from member country China, they have the support of some other non-Muslim countries. On the other hand, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said that inciting acts against Muslims as well as other religions or minorities are outrageous, irresponsible and wrong.