Iran Summons Danish Envoy over Quran Desecration

Danish Ambassador to Tehran Jasper Vahr was summoned to the Iranian Foreign Ministry by the Director General of Western Europe Department on Saturday.

In the meeting, the Iranian diplomat condemned any defiling of Islamic sanctities anywhere in the world, stressing that the book burning in Europe is reminiscent of the dark era of ignorance and the mediaeval period, which is per se the biggest threat to the freedom of thought in the West, the Foreign Ministry’s website reported.

Referring to the passiveness of European governments in the face of book burning, the director general of Western Europe Department said the burning of the book means the end of freedom of thought and silence toward such a heinous cultural crime has no result other than violence and encouragement and promotion of terrorism.

The Iranian diplomat added that setting thoughts on fire cannot be justified using the sacred concept of freedom, and, therefore, both those who set the books on fire and the governments that allow such anti-cultural acts with their passive behavior must be held to account.

The director general of Western Europe Department underlined that Iran believes if the Danish government had acted responsibly and effectively vis-Ã -vis insulting Islamic sanctities, the world would not be witnessing such a sacrilegious act today.

He added that the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, along with the free-thinkers and Muslims of the world, is demanding the Danish government take serious action to prevent the repetition of heinous and evil approaches by adopting deterrent measures and by arresting and severely punishing the wrongdoers in order to pave the way for applying the principle of respect for the sanctity of divine religions and the principle of peaceful coexistence.

The Danish ambassador, for his part, expressed regret over the insult to the Quran, saying Denmark’s foreign minister clearly condemned the desecration of the Quran as a horrible act.

Jasper Vahr, for his part, noted that disrespecting other religions is a shameful act and, therefore, the Danish government disassociates itself from such embarrassing provocations, which have no other purpose than to create division.

The Danish envoy also said he would swiftly convey Iran’s protest to his country’s government.

On Friday, an anti-Muslim group desecrated the Quran in Copenhagen, as the Muslim world is in a rage about a similar incident in Sweden.

The ultranationalist group called "Danske Patrioter" burned the holy book in front of Iraq's embassy in Copenhagen. They also carried a banner with insulting slogans against Islam, before stamping on the Iraqi flag and a copy of the Holy Quran under police protection.