The European Union Calls The Burning Of The Al-Quran Provocational Actions

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION/ANTARA PHOTO/ARI BOWO SUCIPTO

JAKARTA - The European Union (EU) says burning the Koran or other holy books is an act of harassment, insult, and provocation openly.

The statement came after someone identified as Salwan Momika on Wednesday (28/6) burned a copy of the Muslim holy book in front of the Mosque in Stockholm.

The blasphemy against the Quran coincides with Eid al-Adha.

"The practices of racism, xenophobia (dislikes people from other countries), and such intolerance are not accepted in Europe," EU spokesman for foreign affairs and security policy Nabila Massrali said in a statement.

"EU is joining the attitude of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the strong rejection of the burning of the Koran by individuals in Sweden. This action does not reflect the EU's view at all," he added.

Massrali said the action became "sader because it was carried out at an important celebration of Muslims during Eid al-Adha."

Sweden has opened an investigation into the hate speech case by Salwan Momika, an Iraqi citizen who burned a copy of the Koran in front of a mosque in the Sodermalm area, Stockholm.

Swedish police have also carried out an investigation into hate speech against Momika over the alleged Islamophobic case.