Senior UN official denounces burning of Quran in Germany

'Such act is not free expression, it is an expression of contempt and hatred that will only serve to fuel anger and trigger violence,' says Miguel Angel Moratinos

By Betul Yuruk

UNITED NATIONS (AA) - The High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations on Tuesday denounced the burning of a copy of the Muslim holy book the Quran in front of a mosque in Germany.

''The desecration of the Quran in front of a mosque in southwestern Germany is yet another offensive act that is disrespectful and unacceptable,'' Miguel Angel Moratinos said in a tweet.

''Such act is not free expression, it is an expression of contempt and hatred that will only serve to fuel anger and trigger violence.''

A Quran was burned and thrown from a moving vehicle in front of a mosque in southwestern Germany last Saturday.

The incident happened in front of the Mimar Sinan Mosque in the town of Maulbronn, located in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg.

It comes in the wake of multiple burnings or desecrations of Qurans in various European countries, including a recent high-profile Quran burning in front of a mosque in Sweden, allowed by the police, drawing international outrage.

Muslim leaders and politicians have stressed that such desecrations and provocations are not covered by freedom of expression laws.

Kaynak:

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