In an interview with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper, Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church condemned the burning of the Koran at a demonstration in Stockholm and stated that such an act should not be tolerated.
In an interview with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper, Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church condemned the burning of the Koran at a demonstration in Stockholm and stated that such an act should not be tolerated.
“Any book that is considered sacred must be respected out of respect for those who believe in it, and freedom of speech should never be used as an excuse to despise others,” the pope said, adding that allowing such behavior was reprehensible.
Last Wednesday, two men set fire to a Koran in a demonstration in Stockholm. The demonstration coincided with the start of the Muslim holiday “Eid al-Adha” (Feast of the Sacrifice).
Several Muslim countries condemned the demonstration and summoned Swedish diplomats, who were told that such incidents fueled hatred and should not be seen as expressions of freedom of expression. On Sunday, Saudi Arabia also took such a step, calling on the Swedish government to “cease all actions that are in direct conflict with international efforts to spread the values of tolerance, moderation and rejection of extremism and undermine the necessary mutual respect in relations between peoples and countries”.
Sweden explained that the demonstration was allowed under a law guaranteeing freedom of expression, but that it had not been adequate.
