Morocco has reiterated the importance of promoting the values of coexistence and dialogue in the face of hostile and Islamopobic acts targeting Islam and Muslims.
The country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, renewed its approach to rampant Islamophobia on Monday, during a speech at the emergency virtual ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation regarding the repeated, hostile Quran-burning demonstrations in Sweden and Denmark.
“As well as condemning all the dark and barbaric acts of violence committed in the name of Islam, the Kingdom of Morocco strongly condemns these provocations that offend the sanctity of religion,” Bourita said.
The top Moroccan diplomat also stressed Morocco’s approach to anti-Islam sentiments by emphasizing the importance of promoting the values of coexistence and dialogue in societies as well as the spreading of a culture of peace.
Morocco has also stressed that freedom of expression cannot justify provocative acts against Islam, disregarding the feelings of over 2 billion people worldwide.
In his speech, Bourita recalled that Morocco did not hesitate whenever it came to taking action against anti-Islam acts or sentiments around the world. He cited the strongly worded appeal the Moroccan government recently sent to Danish authorities to demand that they adequately tackle or strictly ban irresponsible and divisive behavior such as Quran-burning protests.
Read also: Denmark Pledges Action Against Quran-Burning Demonstrations
On June 28, Morocco also recalled its ambassador from Sweden in response to the heinous Quran-burning sit-in that took place in Stockholm with the greenlight of a Swedish court and the apparent blessing of some police officers.
Morocco also submitted a resolution to the UN General Assembly, which the body unanimously adopted on July 25 in condemnation of the Quran-burning demonstrations and called for promoting dialogue between religions and cultures.
“This strong involvement of the kingdom is also embodied in supporting dialogue between cultures and civilisations in its hosting of many forums” calling for fostering interfaith dialogue and preserving regional peace and stability’ he added.
Far-right extremists in Denmark and Sweden have in recent weeks and months sparked uproar and frustration among Muslim communities, who have condemned the repeated burnings of copies of the Quran during anti-Islam and xenophobic protests in Copenhagen and Stockholm.
On Sunday, Denmark vowed to work on measures aimed at banning Quran-burning demonstrations.
“The burnings are deeply offensive and reckless acts committed by a few individuals. These few individuals do not represent the values Danish society is built on,” said Denmark’s Foreign Affairs minister Lars Lokee Rasmussen.
