Dhaka Calls on UN to Convey OIC’s Deep Condemnation on Burning of Holy Quran

The many instances of the Holy Quran being burned in public in a few countries, according to Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York, are an insult to Muslims all over the world.

He met UN Secretary-General António Guterres today at his office in his capacity as the OIC CFM's interim chair.

He was accompanied by representatives of other OIC countries like Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, and Pakistan.

During the discussion, Ambassador Muhith informed the secretary-general that such heinous crimes of the Holy Quran's destruction go against the values of freedom of expression, religious tolerance, and individual beliefs in addition to inflaming the feelings of Muslims around the world.

Furthermore, he warned that failing to combat this kind of religious intolerance could instigate violence and undermine the stability of many nations' peace and security.

He also made mention of the Rohingya Muslims who were compelled to seek refuge in Bangladesh as a result of the effects of racial and religious intolerance in Myanmar.

In order to combat religious intolerance, including Islamophobia, hate speech, and the burning of the Holy Quran and other religious symbols, Muhith encouraged the UN secretary general to recommend that all UN member states take appropriate legal steps at the national level.

In addition to expressing his support for the OIC members, Secretary-General Guterres vehemently denounced this horrible act of religious intolerance.

He also gave the OIC representatives his word that he would use his position as UN secretary-general to support efforts being made around the world to stop the recurrence of such anti-religious hostility.

Earlier led by Ambassador Muhith, OIC representatives called on the President of the General Assembly Csaba Kőrösi on 14th July and President of the Security Council for the month of July Ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward on 20th July to express the similar concerns.