ISLAMABAD -UNS: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for nationwide protests against the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden on Friday (July 7).
In a statement posted on Twitter by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), the premier presided over a meeting today in which desecration of the Holy Quran and other matters were discussed.
The prime minister said that July 7 (Friday) will be observed as Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e -Quran (day to protect the sanctity of the Holy Quran), and the countrywide protests will be taken out against the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden.
Additionally, the prime minister made the decision to call a joint session of parliament for Thursday with the goal of developing a national response strategy against the abhorrent act in Sweden.
“The views and feelings of the nation should be fully expressed through the forum of parliament,” added the premier.
– UN honours Pakistan’s request –
The UN Human Rights Council will hold an urgent session to address the burning of the Quran following an incident in Stockholm that sparked global outrage, a spokesman said Tuesday.
The Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council, which is meeting in session until July 14, will change its agenda to stage an urgent debate, following a request from Pakistan.
“The UN Human Rights Council will hold an urgent debate to ‘discuss the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred, as manifested by the current desecration of the holy Quran in some European and other countries’,” council spokesman Pascal Sim told reporters, citing the wording of the request.
“This urgent debate will be convened following a request of Pakistan, sent on behalf of several members of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation, including those that are members of the Human Rights Council.
“The urgent debate will most likely be convened this week at a date and time to be determined by the bureau of the Human Rights Council that is meeting today.”
– Day of condemnation –
The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) decided to observe Friday, July 7, a “day of condemnation” in response to the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, JI Emir Sirajul Haq said, “The Holy Quran was desecrated in Sweden with the permission of the Swedish authorities. The despicable act has damaged the feelings of two billion Muslims across the world”.
“The fact that this heinous act took place in Sweden on the auspicious festival of Eidul Azha raises a lot of questions,” he continued.
– OIC demands urgent action –
The OIC, during an emergency meeting held Sunday, stressed the urgent need for collective action to prevent the desecration of the Holy Quran, the holiest book of Muslims.
OIC Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, emphasised the importance of reminding the international community about the necessity of adhering to international law, which explicitly prohibits promoting religious hatred.
– Countrywide protests –
Protests and rallies were held in different cities of the country against the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council announced to go on strike.
In Khanpur, a protest was held at the Darkhawasti Chowk against the desecration of the Holy Quran. The Swedish flag was set on fire and the participants raised slogans against Swedish government.
