Arameans Condemn Quran Burning Protest in Stockholm, and Call for Restraint and Respect
- Post 29 June 2023
The World Council of Arameans (Syriacs) (“WCA”) condemns the appalling act carried out yesterday by an individual with Christian roots from Iraq, who burned a Quran in front of a mosque in Stockholm during the Feast of Sacrifice, one of the most important festivals in Islam. We implore all to uphold restraint and respect among ethno-religious groups.
This provocative act of desecrating the sacred book of 1.6 billion Muslims on their holy day exploits judicial liberties, crossing intellectual, ethical, and moral conduct. Causing anguish and distress among fellow human beings undermines peaceful and respectful coexistence in society.
The person in question identifies himself to international media as an atheist from Iraq who fled to Sweden five years ago. The WCA underscores the importance of remembering that one individual’s actions do not define or represent a group, particularly not in this case.
Arameans distance themselves from the irresponsible behavior of this individual and encourage all ethno-religious groups to continue promoting a sense of shared humanity, respect, and love, especially during each other’s holy days and toward each other’s sacred scriptures. Johny Messo, the WCA president, states, “All actions that fan the flames of hostility and indignation must be condemned and discouraged. Our focus should be on building bridges of dialogue and empathy.”
In spite of this unfortunate incident, it is worth remembering that Aramean Christians and their Muslim neighbors, especially in the homeland, share a beautiful tradition of visiting each other during their holidays, exchanging warm wishes. In this spirit, we extend our heartfelt wishes to our Muslim brothers and sisters for a joyous and blessed Eid al-Adha. May this occasion foster peaceful and respectful coexistence among all our various communities worldwide.
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