AhlulBayt News Agency: The Muslim World League has welcomed the British court’s decision to convict a man who burned a copy of the Quran in London.
The ruling demonstrates the British authorities’ commitment to combating actions that target religions and incite division and conflict among communities, the MWL stated.
The organization emphasized that it has always taken a firm stance against extremism and hatred, noting the increasing attacks on religious symbols in recent years.
The court’s decision sends a strong message that civil society rejects such acts and promotes peaceful coexistence among different religions and cultures.
The ruling is significant in fostering understanding and respect for religious diversity, highlighting the role of law in safeguarding human values.
On Monday, Hamit Coskun was found guilty of a religiously aggravated public order offense after burning a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Consulate in London.
Coskun, 50, was accused of shouting Islamophobic slogans while holding up the burning Quran in Knightsbridge, west London, in February.
District Judge John McGarva ruled that Coskun’s actions were at least partly motivated by hostility toward Muslims and did not constitute a reasonable exercise of his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Delivering the verdict, McGarva stated that burning the Quran in that location was highly provocative and accompanied by abusive language directed at Islam, showing clear intent to incite hatred.
Coskun argued that his actions were an exercise of free speech, sparking widespread reactions in Britain after footage of the incident went viral on social media.
However, the judge dismissed this argument, stating that Coskun harbored deep-seated hatred toward Islam and its followers, making his attempt to separate criticism of the religion from its adherents unsustainable.
McGarva concluded that Coskun’s actions were deliberately provocative and intended to incite hostility.
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