Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran observed nationwide

ISLAMABAD: Today the nation is observing Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran (Sanctity of the Quran Day), to protest the recent desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden.

Peaceful rallies are being held Friday on the instructions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has urged the international community and institutions to work to contain incidents of Islamophobia.

In a tweet, the PM said the incident was unacceptable and hurt the sentiments of 1.25 billion Muslims around the world.

After Friday prayers, the flag of the Quran will be raised to record a peaceful protest, the premier said.

میرے اہل وطن!
بات ہو قرآن کی تو قوم ایک ہے۔
سانحہ سویڈن پر پوری امتِ مسلمہ مضطرب ہے۔
ایک بد بخت کے ہاتھوں قرآن پاک کی بے حرمتی کے دلخراش واقعے پر اپنے جذبات اور احساسات کا اظہار کرنے کے لئے یوم تقدیس قرآن کے عنوان سے آج ہم سب یک آواز ہو کر ملک گیر احتجاج کریں گے اور بعد از…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 7, 2023

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto said that Pakistan will be raising this issue at a debate organised by the United Nations Human Rights Council on the rise of religious hatred. Pakistan will be raising the issue on behalf of the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Group on July 11.

The burning of the Holy Quran, which took place during Eid-ul-Adha outside Stockhlom’s central mosque, drew condemnation from around the world.

Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old Iraqi refugee who fled to Sweden several years ago, was given permission by Stockholm police to tear up and burn pages of the Islamic holy book on June 28.

He was later charged with agitation against an ethnic group after the international outcry.