Islamabad (Web Desk/Agencies): Senate on Friday adopted a unanimous resolution to condemn the vile act of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and the Netherlands which has hurt the religious sentiments of 1.5 billion Muslims around the globe.
The upper house of the parliament strongly protested the governments of Sweden and the Netherlands for allowing the extremist elements for this heinous crime in the garb of freedom of expression.
Participating in the debate, Minister for Law Azam Nazeer Tarar strongly condemned the desecration of Holy Quran in the two European countries.
“Islam preaches the message of peace, tolerance and brotherhood and the Holy Quran is a complete code of life,” the minister said.
Tarar said that Islamophobic incidents in European countries are a matter of great concern.
Azam Nazeer Tarar said the government will take up the matter seriously at appropriate forums including the United Nations (UN), Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) and the European Union (EU) and we will register our protest in a responsible manner.
In his remarks, Senator Yousaf Raza Gilani said that protests are taking place in different parts of the world over the heinous crime committed in the two European countries. He said that the acts of desecration of Holy Quran in European countries have hurt the sentiments of Muslim Ummah.
Taking the floor, Mushtaq Ahmad said the desecration of Holy Quran is an immoral, provocative and terrorist attack against Muslims.
He called for lodging strong protest with the envoys of Sweden and the Netherlands to convey the sentiments of the Muslims on the shameful acts.
Taking the floor, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif urged the western countries to stop Islamophobic incidents saying their double standards on human rights and freedom of expression pose a threat to world peace.
“Muslim countries should collectively express their resentment over the desecration acts,” the minister said.
Khawaja Asif said Islamophobia in the Western countries is the main cause of extremism in Muslim countries. He said if they respect our religion, the extremist tendencies can also be checked.
Participating in the discussion, Irfan Siddiqui said the Islamophobic acts in European countries are not freedom of expression but it is an expression of their hate and bigotry towards Islam and Muslims.
Senator Taj Haider emphasized for effectively spreading the message of Islam and Holy Quran in the world. He said the world should be informed that the Holy Book is not only for the Muslims but the whole of humanity.
In his remarks, Faisal Javed said contempt of religion cannot be allowed under the garb of freedom of expression. He said such provocative steps should be declared illegal at the international level.
Participating in the debate, Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar asked the people of different faiths to ponder over the Holy Quran which is a divine communication.
He said the central theme of this Holy Book is human-being and understanding it would cleanse not only the human soul but also the whole environment of the planet.
In his remarks, Faiz Muhammad said since Islam is spreading in European countries, therefore, propaganda has been unleashed by certain elements against the religion to stop this process.
He said Islamophobic acts in Europe are a conspiracy against our religion.
Kaman Michael said those involved in Islamophobic acts have nothing to do with any religion.
Other Senators also strongly denounced the desecration acts in European countries.
According to the resolution, the Senate, therefore, stands for upholding the universal principles highlighted above and expresses the collective will of the state and people of Pakistan against the act of desecration of the Holy Quran by racists and extremists.
It said this vicious crime is a calculated and deliberate attempt to harm interfaith harmony, social peace, and religious tolerance, and ultimately it will prove to be divisive for peace and stability amongst countries, cultures and civilizations.
The Senate urged Muslims to maintain calm and composure, refuse to be intimidated by the hate-mongering Islamophobes, and promote Islam’s message of peace, tolerance and universal brotherhood.
It also called upon the government to initiate prompt action on the following lines such as, to summoning the ambassador of Sweden and Netherlands and conveying the strong sentiments, shock and anger felt by the people of Pakistan against the desecration of the Holy Quran.
It also emphasized Sweden and Netherlands for firm lawful action against those who desecrated the Holy Quran.
It also proposed the government contact, coordinate and cooperate among the members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to take a unified position on this issue which is central to the core beliefs of all Muslims.
The Senate further asked to take up this highly important and urgent issue before the upcoming session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which is meeting in Geneva next week.