Ambassador Mustafa began his address by reciting the Basmala and praising Allah. He then greeted the crowd and expressed his deep concern over the increasing incidents of Quran desecration and insults. He said that these actions are not only irresponsible, but also against human values. They cause immense hurt to Muslims worldwide.
"The Holy Quran is our holy book and a source of inspiration and guidance for billions of Muslims. Burning it and insulting it is a crime that is totally rejected and condemned," declared Mustafa firmly.
He further emphasized that describing attacks on the Quran as "freedom of expression" is unacceptable. The purpose of the gathering, according to Mustafa, was to express their anger against these despicable acts and call on European and world countries to protect the rights of religious and cultural minorities, fostering an environment where diverse communities can coexist and respect each other's values.
"As a society that loves its religion, its prophet, and its Qur'an, and believes in the principles of tolerance and peace, we are united today to strongly oppose these heinous acts. Together, we seek to increase understanding and awareness between cultures and religions, working towards a world where peace and love prevail," Mustafa passionately stated.
In his address, Ambassador Mustafa also touched upon the attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli extremists, particularly condemning the repeated raids led by Israeli National Security Minister Ben-Gfir. He described the Al-Aqsa Mosque as the first Qibla, the second mosque, and the third of the Haramayni Sharif, underlining its profound religious significance.
"The threats by Israel to spatially and temporally divide the mosque, along with the extremist groups' intentions to demolish it, pose serious dangers. To confront these threats, the Islamic Ummah and its broad masses must take a united, consistent, and serious stance," urged Mustafa.
The Respect for the Quran Rally served as a platform to unite against acts of disrespect towards religious symbols and to advocate for the protection of religious sanctities worldwide. The global community closely watches these developments as the call for mutual respect and peaceful coexistence remains a top priority in fostering understanding between different cultures and religions. (ILKHA)