Venezuelan president condemns European leaders' silence on Quran burning incidents
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has publicly criticized the lack of response from European leaders and certain media outlets in light of recent Quran-burning incidents that occurred in Sweden and Denmark.
President Maduro's remarks came during a statement to Russia's Sputnik news agency on Monday.
Expressing deep concern, President Maduro said, "I feel the deep discontent of Muslim peoples around the world when they see the Quran being burned." He further emphasized that those who remain silent and ignore such acts of desecration are indirectly complicit in the issue.
The Venezuelan president also called out media organizations for their minimal coverage of these distressing incidents, stressing the importance of raising awareness and addressing this matter.
In addition to condemning the Quran burnings, President Maduro vehemently denounced hate crimes against Muslims and criticized the activities of extremist right-wing and racist groups involved in these destructive actions within Europe.
Just last week, far-right Islamophobes in Denmark burned copies of the Quran in front of the Egyptian and Turkish embassies, adding to a series of anti-Islam acts in the country.
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen swiftly condemned these acts of desecration, emphasizing that they do not represent the values or beliefs of Danish society.
These incidents in Denmark follow similar Quran desecrations in neighboring Sweden, which garnered international outrage. As a consequence, several Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, the UAE, and Lebanon, have taken a strong stance against the burnings, downgrading their diplomatic ties with Stockholm.
The situation has raised concerns over religious tensions and the need for international solidarity in promoting religious tolerance and understanding. European leaders are now facing mounting pressure to address the issue and respond to President Maduro's calls for action against such acts of hate. (ILKHA)