Cleric urges global measures to prevent Islamophobia

ISLAMABAD: Tahir Ashrafi, chairman of Pakistan Ulema Council, expressed strong condemnation for the "despicable act" of burning a copy of the Quran in Sweden during Eid al-Adha.

He urged the international community to take immediate action and enact legislation to combat the increasing incidents of Islamophobia.

In an interview with a news-TV station, Ashrafi emphasized the need for a unified and collective approach by the global community to prevent the recurrence of such acts of desecration.

He said the freedom of expression should be exercised responsibly and that misusing it for such behaviour only fuels extremism.

Ashrafi stressed the importance of raising awareness worldwide to control extremism and promote religious tolerance.

Respecting the Quran is an essential part of every Muslim's faith, and incidents like this are deeply distressing, Ashrafi noted.

He called upon the Muslim world to prevent the repetition of such anti-Islamic behaviour and ensure that those responsible for hurting the sentiments of Muslims face appropriate consequences.