Al-Assoumi issued a statement condemning the burning of a copy of the Koran in Stockholm on the same day of a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to discuss repeated attacks on the sacred book.

The official criticized the international community’s silence regarding these incidents, and warned that they affect the efforts to disseminate principles of tolerance and religious coexistence.

A week ago, Al-Assoumi questioned the European Union by pointing out that although its leaders claim to respect human rights, they violate one of the most basic: freedom of religion. The repetition of this heinous criminal act in more than one European country confirms the spread of religious hatred, he said.

He also urged the European Parliament to issue binding legislation making attacks on religion and insulting various beliefs a crime.

The Arab League has repeatedly condemned the desecration of the Koran in both Sweden and Denmark.

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