KUALA LUMPUR – Umno has strongly condemned the act of burning the Quran by extremist Swedish-Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan outside of the Turkish embassy in Stockholm recently.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in a statement today said that regardless of his true intention, Paludan’s vile act was a clear provocation and highly disrespectful of Muslims around the globe.
“Paludan has also significantly abused the right to freedom of expression and in so doing, undermines the spirit of peaceful coexistence in a multi-religious world.
“Umno urges the Swedish government to take appropriate action against this appalling hatred of Islam,” said Zahid who is also the deputy prime minister.
Meanwhile, the Umno ulama council condemned Paludan’s act in the strongest terms, describing it as extreme and Islamophobic, as well as an insult to Islam.
Its chairman Datuk Dusuki Ahmad said insulting any religion was clearly against social ethics in respect of the right to practise one’s religion, adding that Paludan’s heinous act could further fuel hatred among people and disintegrate peace in the community, as well as trigger provocations and reactions, including violence.
He demanded that the Swedish government apologise to all Muslims and the international community for failing to stop the incident from happening in the country.
“(Umno’s ulama council also) calls on scholars and Muslims to continue to pray that the truth of Islam will continue to shine throughout the world and provide security to its followers wherever they are,” he added. – Bernama, January 23, 2023
