A Statement from the General Secretariat of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, OIC

Regarding the burning of a copy of the Holy Qur’an

by an extremist in Stockholm, Sweden

Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, and prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his companions. And yet,

With deep resentment and vigorous denunciation, the International Islamic Fiqh Academy strongly condemns the burning of a copy of the Noble Qur’an by a paid extremist on Wednesday, 10 of the blessed month of Dhu al-Hijjah 1444H, corresponding to June 28, 2023.

‏Not only was this a clear manifestation of the profound hatred that has filled the hearts of this extremist and his cohorts towards the beautiful and peaceful religion of Islam, but it was also a blatant disregard for the sentiments of its two billon followers, who were in the midst of celebrating one of its biggest festivals know as Eid Al-Adha. This heinous act serves as an apparent confirmation of the growing Islamophobia in the souls and hearts of victims of extremist ideology and terrorism.

As such, based on the Academy’s position as the supreme jurisprudential authority for the Muslim Ummah; with reference to the divine duty and responsibility of scholars in combating extremist ideology, wherever it may come from; in order to preserve a cooperative and communicative relationship between Muslim communities and all others that believe in coexistence and stand in defence of world peace; in an effort to consolidate harmony among peoples, the Academy finds it incumbent on it to renew its call to states, international organizations and other entities promoting peace and coexistence between the followers of different religions to enhance cooperation and coordination in confronting all forms of devious conduct, particularly those fuelled with hatred and contempt for religious beliefs and symbols.

One of the effective ways to achieve this goal would be to criminalize hateful actions committed under the pretext of ‘freedom of expression’ seeing that they result in deliberate harm and are considered a brutal attack on the sentiments and values of others. This may only be enforced through international resolutions executed and ratified by the abovementioned entities.

Accordingly, in hopes that the proposed international resolution regarding this issue is adopted soon, God willing, the ‏Academy calls upon all Islamic countries ‏and institutions across the world to file lawsuits in the relevant local and international courts against the likes of this extremist and others who engage in such cowardly and demagoguery actions with the intent to violate the sanctity of religions and their symbols.

Finally, the Academy reaffirms that such malicious act has in no way undermined nor degraded the sanctity of the Holy Qur’an; a Book that was revealed as a mercy, light, and guidance for all people. Also, it has by no means changed the position of the Noble Qur’an in the hearts of Muslims. In fact, they have increased them in steadfastness, adding to their faith in, reverence of and commitment to its teachings, values, and rulings.

And may God’s blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions, and those who follow them in good deeds until the Day of Judgment.

The General Secretariat of the International Islamic FiqhAcademy, OIC

Jeddah, 12 Dhu al-Hijjah 1444H, corresponding to the 30th of June 2023.

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