RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO – The Cultural Center of of Iran in Colombo had organized inter religious meeting among all religious leaders against the burning of Holy Quran outside a mosque in Sweden on Eid al-Adha festival celebrations day.
The meeting was held at the Cultural Center premises recently.
It was held under the patronage of Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran Hashem Ashjazadeh.
The Ambassador of Iran Hashem Ashjazadeh said In recent years instances of insulting Islamic sanctities including insulting of the Holy Quran and offensive caricatures of the Nobel revered prophet of Islam has Prophet Muhammad have been occurring multiple times in Europe.
The first incident dates back 2005 when a Danish newspaper published 12 calculators depicting the prophet of Islam. subsequently in 2006 a magazine called Charlie Hebdo also published this imager for the first time.
While some European countries defend such actions under the banner of freedom of speech the lack of legal consequences for those who commit These offenses remains a contentious issue. The support of European leaders for such insulting action is in fact the unveiling of a firestorm.
Finding common ground and understanding between cultures is essential to fostering a more harmonious and inclusive society.
The Cultural Counsellor Dr. Moazamil Goodarzi said western governments allow individuals, media and groups to insult religions and holy things under the pretext of freedom of expression.
In recent days, Sweden has clearly become the leader of this hateful behavior by planning and supporting the burning of the Holy Quran.
Everyone knows that freedom of expression is not a justification for insulting two billion followers of the Quran.
This action and similar actions in insulting religions and holy places are a clear violation of human rights. Unfortunately, in the past months, we saw such behavior in Sri Lanka. It is the duty of the leaders of religions and governments to condemn hateful actions and make the necessary predictions to prevent these actions.
Religious and political leaders are expected to react seriously to hateful behavior and provide practical solutions to prevent such actions.
Acting Mahanayaka of Amarapura Wajirawansa Chapter. Ven. Prof. Pallekande Ratanasara thero, Ven. Dr. Madampagama Assaje Anu Nayaayaka thero, Methodist Church Anu Nayake Rev. Fr. Anura Perera, Secretary Hindu Priests Association Rev, Sivasiri Darshaka Sharma Kurukkal and Ash Sheikh Fahmy Sadhath strongly condemn the burn of Holy Quran in Sweden.
