Speaking With Foreign Minister Lars Lokke, OKI Secretary General Asks Denmark To Take Steps To Prevent Al-Qur'an Burning From Repeating

Illustration - A number of protesters expressed their rejection of the burning of the Koran on September 11 in commemoration of the World Trade Center (WTC) tragedy in Florida USA, while passing on Jl. Malioboro, Yogyakarta, Friday (3/9) afternoon. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Secretary General of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OKI) Hissein Brahim Taha has received a call from Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen who discussed, among other things, the incident of burning the Koran. During the telephone conversation, Secretary General Hissein expressed concern among OIC member countries regarding the frequent recurrence of incidents that do not respect the holy book Al Quran and Islamic symbols, all of which are carried out in the name of freedom of expression. In addition -- reported by the Saudi Press Agency via Antara -- Hissein Brahim called on the Danish authorities to take the necessary steps to prevent such incidents from happening again. Meanwhile, the Danish Foreign Minister stated that his country's government had condemned and denounced the disrespect for the Koran. The Danish government also expressed their strong disapproval of the move, he continued. Minister Rasmussen added that the Danish government was carefully reviewing the matter with great concern. Rasmussen also emphasized Denmark's commitment to maintaining friendly relations and cooperation with OIC member countries.