AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The Iranian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Danish ambassador to Tehran, Jesper Vahr, in protest at a recent act of desecration against the Holy Qur'an in Copenhagen.
The director-general of the Ministry’s Western Europe Department summoned the Danish ambassador on Saturday to convey the Islamic Republic's protest after the far-right group Danske Patrioter burned a copy of the Holy Qur'an in Copenhagen earlier in the day.
The official criticized the passive stance adopted by European governments regarding such provocative acts, adding that burning holy books will only lead to violence and promotion of terrorism.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry official emphasized that the act of burning sacred texts can never be justified under the pretext of freedom of expression and called for accountability for both the perpetrators and governments allowing such actions to take place.
"We believe that if Danish government had acted responsibly and effectively in the face of insults to Islamic sanctities, we would not have witnessed such an offensive act today," the official said.
The Danish ambassador, in turn, expressed regret over the incident and pointed out that Denmark's foreign minister had condemned the desecration of the Holy Quran.
Vahr stressed that disrespect for other religions is shameful and said that the Danish government has disassociated itself from such provocative actions that are aimed at creating divisions.
He vowed to swiftly convey Iran’s message of protest to officials in Copenhagen.
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