Turkish, Iraqi, Saudi, Egyptian FMs, Libyan PM discuss Quran desecration in Sweden

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held telephone talks with his Iraqi, Saudi and Egyptian counterparts and the Libyan Prime Minister.

During the phone conversations, the foreign ministers discussed Quran desecration in front of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm on July 20, Anadolu reports.

The sides exchanged views on the mobilisation of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the joint measures to be taken in view of the rise in anti-Islamic provocations and hate crimes against Islam in Europe.

Politicians condemned the desecration of the Quran in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Stockholm.

"We expect Sweden, within the framework of its international obligations, especially its commitments to the UN, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe, to take the necessary measures to prevent hate crimes against Islam and its billions of followers," Fidan said.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has also said that the country supports efforts and will continue to work together with all countries that oppose Islamophobia, xenophobia, racism and discrimination.

To recap, on July 12, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) condemned the acts of burning of the holy book.

A draft resolution condemning acts of desecration of the Quran was discussed at the 53rd session of the HRC in Geneva at a special session held at the initiative of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. 47 countries took part in the voting.

Twenty-eight countries voted in favour of the adopted document, 12 were against it and 7 abstained.

Algeria, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cameroon, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Uzbekistan voted in favour of the resolution.
Belgium, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Romania, United Kingdom and the United States voted against it.

Paraguay, Nepal, Mexico, Honduras, Georgia, Benin and Chile abstained.