Quran burning in Europe testifies to "hateful mentality" of West, says Turkish speaker

The latest attacks on Islam’s holy book, the Quran, show the “hateful mentality” of the West, Parliament Speaker Mustafa Şentop said on January 29.

"Western countries should immediately put an end to this dangerous game," Şentop said at the 17th session of the Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Member States (PUIC) in Algeria, Daily Sabah informs.

His remarks came after Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan, the leader of the far-right Stram Kurs (Hard Line) Party, on Friday burned a copy of the Quran in front of a mosque in Denmark.

The Islamophobic act came days after Paludan burned the Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Sweden during a police-approved protest.

Global condemnations have poured in, with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson calling Paludan's actions "deeply disrespectful."

The desecration of the Quran triggered strong protests in the Muslim world, with Türkiye calling Paludan an "Islam-hating charlatan" and strongly condemning the permission given by the authorities for the provocative act, which it said, "clearly constitutes a hate crime."

"The fact that provocative acts against Islam that insult our sacred values are allowed by the Swedish authorities under the name of freedom of expression, that the Netherlands ignores the attack in its own country, and that Denmark follows the same path is an issue that needs to be carefully considered," Şentop said.

He added that these acts had shown the "hateful mentality" of the West, which does not respect beliefs and ideas.

"Despite everything, we Muslims must be vigilant, moderate, reasonable and dignified. We must not abandon the principles of respecting the differences that our religion and civilization have taught us, enjoining good and avoiding evil," Şentop said.

In the face of such "dire acts," voices from Islamic countries and organizations were also very weak, the parliament speaker said.

"However, our collective and strong response will undoubtedly allow Sweden, Denmark the Netherlands, or other countries where such disrespect is experienced to tidy up and will force them to prevent similar disasters that may occur in the future," he added.

In addition to the individual responses by the countries, it is necessary to show reactions at the highest level in the international bodies where Islamic countries are represented, he said.