EU flags are seen outside the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 6, 2023.(Xinhua/Zheng Huansong/IANS)
The EU said it would continue to stand up for freedom of religion or belief and expression abroad and at home…reports Asian Lite News
The European Union (EU) on Wednesday reiterated its strong and determined rejection of the desecration of the Islamic holy book of Quran, said a statement released by the Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon.
“Following the recent acts by individuals in Europe that have offended many Muslims, the EU reiterates its strong and determined rejection of any form of incitement to religious hatred and intolerance,” the statement said.
“The desecration of the Quran, or any other book considered holy, is offensive, disrespectful, and a clear provocation. Expressions of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance have no place in the European Union,” it noted.
Young girl from Kashmir handwrites Holy Quran after memorising it
The EU said it would continue to stand up for freedom of religion or belief and expression abroad and at home.
Several instances of Quran-burning occurred in Sweden this year, the most notable of which occurred on June 28, when an Iraqi refugee ripped out and set fire to pages of the Quran outside a Stockholm mosque.
On Monday, two protesters from the far-right Danish group of Danske Patrioter set fire to a copy of the Quran in front of the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen, where it held a similar demonstration on July 21 in protest against the Iraqis’ storming of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad following the Quran-burning incident in Stockholm.
Young girl from Kashmir handwrites Holy Quran after memorising it
Two protesters from the far-right Danish group of Danske Patrioter set fire to a copy of the Quran in front of the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen…reports Asian Lite News
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the “repeated vile attacks” against the Islamic holy book of Quran in Denmark’s capital Copenhagen.
“The Danish authorities must act within the framework of their international responsibilities and take the necessary measures to prevent these heinous acts that fuel hatred against the religion of Islam and its billions of followers,” the ministry said in a statement.
🇩🇰 FM @larsloekke: “Denmark condemns today's burning of the Quran carried out by very few individuals. These provocative and shameful acts do not represent the views of the Danish government. Appeal to all to deescalate – violence must never be the response.”
Earlier on Monday, two protesters from the far-right Danish group of Danske Patrioter set fire to a copy of the Quran in front of the Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen, where it held a similar demonstration days ago in protest against the Iraqis’ storming of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, Xinhua news agency reported.
The incident is the second in just a few days where protesters from an ultranationalist group have burned the Quran.
This rare edition will be permanently displayed at the library’s Treasures of the Library exhibition which features a unique collection of rare and ancient books, atlases, and manuscripts from around the world…reports Asian Lite News
During an exceptional donation ceremony at the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, the United States Mission to the UAE presented the Mohammed bin Rashid Library with a 1764 edition of an English-language translation of the Quran, which will be permanently displayed in the library’s Treasures of the Library exhibition. The event was organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation in collaboration with the United States Mission to the UAE and the Mohammed bin Rashid Library.
The rare two-volume set is a copy from the second edition of the 1764 English language translation of the Quran by English author George Sale. Third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson owned a copy from the same 1764 edition, which was displayed at the USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai on loan from the U.S. Library of Congress. This was the first time this treasured exhibit travelled outside of the U.S. Capitol, and it was one of the top attractions at the USA Pavilion. While studying law in 1765, Thomas Jefferson, who had a lifelong interest in world religions, bought this version at the age of 22. Following the return of the Thomas Jefferson-owned Quran to the U.S. Library of Congress, the same rare edition Quran translation, which the U.S. Mission to the UAE donated today to the MBR Library, was acquired to continue the exhibition at the USA Pavilion.
“We are here today to celebrate the values that shape the United Arab Emirates, tolerance, peace, and harmony; and to witness history being made as this rare edition of the Holy Quran is transferred for the first time since the 18th century to be permanently displayed at the Mohammed bin Rashid library, the region’s largest cultural centre,” Isobel Abulhoul, CEO and Trustee of Emirates Literature Foundation said. “We are delighted and honoured to work with the U.S. Mission to the UAE and the Mohammed bin Rashid Library to support the UAE’s mission of preserving Islamic and Arabic heritage and reinforcing its position in society and the world.”
This rare edition will be permanently displayed at the library’s Treasures of the Library exhibition which features a unique collection of rare and ancient books, atlases, and manuscripts from around the world.
Welcoming the delegation, H.E. Mohammad Ahmad Al Murr, Chairman of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Library Foundation, said: “I am pleased to welcome you to the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, and specifically to the Treasures of the Library Exhibition which houses rare collections dating back to the thirteenth century,”
The Treasures of The Library Exhibition features unique religious manuscripts, Antique atlases, poetry collections, and other valuable items. The collection also includes rare copies of the Holy Quran, early print editions of literary classics, Latin translations of scholarly works from the Islamic Golden Age, and rare Arabic periodicals from the Arab world and beyond.” H.E added. “The rare, translated copy of the Holy Quran, donated to the Mohammed bin Rashid Library, is a valuable and significant addition to the Treasures of the Library exhibition, complementing a collection of classical literature publications telling the story of decades of knowledge and civilization.” H.E concluded.
H.E Al Murr thanked the United States Mission for the valuable gift of Thomas Jefferson’s rare edition of the Holy Quran in the English language, which reflects the depth and strength of the strategic and cultural relations and partnerships between the two countries.
The Mohamed Bin Rashid Library is pleased to display the rare English language translation of the Quran in its Treasures of the Library exhibition. It has a special connection with Dubai as it was displayed at the USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. This rare manuscript is from the same 1764 edition as Thomas Jefferson’s copy of the English language translation of the Quran , U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress, took his oath of office on Jefferson’s Quran in 2006 and noted it demonstrated that from the very beginning of the United States, there people who were visionary, who were religiously tolerant, who believed that knowledge and wisdom could be gleaned from any number of sources, including the Quran.
Charge d’Affaires Sean Murphy at the U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi stated, “The U.S. Mission to the UAE is proud to gift a rare edition English-language translation of the Quran and a map of Arabia published in 1764 that were on display at the USA Pavilion during Expo 2020 Dubai to the Mohammed bin Rashid Library. This exhibit is a strong symbol of respect for religious diversity, and our shared values of religious tolerance and co-existence.”
The donation took place on the first day of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, one of the world’s top ten literary festivals. The Festival will be held at the InterContinental Dubai Festival City and the Mohammed bin Rashid Library from 1-6 February 2023.
Ticket prices start at AED 25. Also new this year are day-long, weekend, student and publishing day passes starting at AED 199. And an all-access Crystal Pass with exclusive entry to the Green Room. Also returning is the Festival Fringe, with a host of fun free events and performances for all the family.
The trilateral meeting was slated to take place in February…reports Asian Lite News
Irked over Quran burning, Turkey has decided to push for stricter action against Sweden. Turkey has postponed a trilateral meeting with Sweden and Finland on their NATO bids following the burning of a copy of the Quran in Sweden, the state-run TRT network reported.
The meeting was slated to take place in February, the report said, citing anonymous Turkish diplomatic sources.
The decision came a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Sweden not to expect Turkey’s support on its NATO bid after Rasmus Paludan, the head of the Danish far-right political party Hard Line, burned a copy of the Quran on Saturday outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden.
Sweden and Finland submitted their formal requests to join the NATO in May 2022, which were initially objected by Turkey, a NATO member, citing their support for anti-Turkish Kurdish organisations and political dissidents, Xinhua news agency reported.
A month later, Turkey, Sweden and Finland reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) ahead of the NATO summit held in Madrid, Spain.
In the MoU, Ankara agreed to lift its veto on the NATO bids by Finland and Sweden, which in return pledged to support Turkey’s fight against terrorism and address its “pending deportation or extradition requests of terror suspects expeditiously and thoroughly”.
The Turkish parliament has not ratified the Nordic countries’ NATO bids so far, citing that they have yet to meet Turkey’s requests.
The administrator of the temple had written to the Muzrai department seeking clarification over the continuation of the ritual, which has been going on for years and symbolises Hindu-Muslim unity…reports Asian Lite News
Amid the ongoing unrest over incidents of communal polarisation in the state, the BJP government in Karnataka on Wednesday permitted continuation of an age-old ritual of reciting verses from the Quran during a historical Hindu religious fair despite objections from Hindu groups in Hassan district.
The move has been appreciated by thousands of devotees who took part in the ‘Rathotsav’ of Channakeshava temple at Belur in Hassan district.
Kazi Syed Sajeed Pasha recited verses from the Quran in front of the chariot of Lord Channakeshava in the presence of thousands of Hindu devotees. The ritual symbolises Hindu-Muslim unity and harmony.
“The recital of verses from the Quran has been a tradition for generations and it has came from my ancestors. Whatever may be the differences, Hindus and Muslims should live in a united manner and let the God bless all,” Pasha said.
The ‘Rathotsav’ ceremony at the Belur temple is performed for two days, which is a rare phenomenon in the state. The idol of Channakeshava will be embellished with gold and diamond jewelleries gifted by the erstwhile kings of the Mysuru kingdom. Lakhs of devotees throng Belur during this temple fair.
Meanwhile, Hindu organisations have objected to the age-old tradition of recital of Quran before moving the chariot this year following a series of developments in the state.
The administrator of the temple had written to the Muzrai department seeking clarification over the continuation of the ritual, which has been going on for years and symbolises Hindu-Muslim unity.
The Commissioner of the Muzrai department, Rohini Sindhoori, gave green signal to the continuation of the ritual.
She said that according to Section 58 of the Hindu Religious Act, 2002, there should not be any interference in the rituals and traditions of the temple.
After her direction, the temple committee decided to go ahead with the ritual of recital of verses from the Quran.
