Saudi Arabia publicly condemned acts carried out by Islamophobic extremists who burned the Quran and a Turkish flag in Denmark, a move the kingdom labeled as inflammatory and harmful to social harmony. In statements supported by regional partners, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar aligned with Riyadh in criticizing such actions, stressing that they incite hatred against Muslims, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan. The event drew attention after the far-right anti-Muslim group Patrioterne Gar Live posted images on Facebook showing supporters burning the Quran and the Turkish flag in front of a mosque, accompanied by banners with Islamophobic messages. This report is attributed to the Turkish Embassy in Copenhagen and highlights the social tensions surrounding religious symbolism and freedom of expression. (Arab News, Turkish Embassy in Copenhagen)
The Turkish Daily Sabah reported that the Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the desecration as a hate crime, stressing that such acts would not be tolerated under the banner of freedom of expression. The ministry called on Danish authorities to take decisive action against those responsible and to prevent further incidents that threaten social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. (Turkish Daily Sabah)
Sinan Majali, spokesman for the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, criticized the event for fanning hatred and racism. He stated that burning the Holy Quran constitutes a serious act of hate and an expression of Islamophobia that seeks to incite violence and insult religious beliefs, and that it cannot be viewed as a legitimate exercise of free speech in any sense. The Jordanian ministry urged Danish authorities to ensure such incidents do not recur. (Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates)
In a parallel note, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that the Quran burning could provoke strong reactions from Muslims worldwide. It urged those responsible to be brought to justice, underscoring that freedom of expression should not be used to offend Islam or any other faith. (Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Qatar joined the condemnation, noting that it partially burned a copy of the Quran in a protest that it described as a dangerous escalation aimed at Muslims. The statement underscored concerns about the impact such acts have on interfaith relations and regional stability. (Qatar News Agency)
Meanwhile, Maria Zakharova, formerly the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, stated that Russia strongly condemned the act of desecration linked to the burning of the Quran by Ukrainian forces. Separately, Chechnya’s leader Ramzan Kadyrov pledged to pursue those responsible and offered rewards for action against the individuals involved, signaling the broader political sensitivities surrounding religious provocations and international responses. (Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry; Ramzan Kadyrov’s remarks)