THIS is with reference to the report ‘Anti-Sweden protest turns violent in Iraq; Turkiye tells Sweden off’ (Jan 24). The recent execrable incident has led to widespread protests and condemnations in the Islamic world, and rightly so. The incident is another show of abhorrence and intolerance shown by a so-called ‘tolerant and civilised’ first world nation. The incident has once again hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world.

The West appears to be in a fierce grip of Islamophobia and the desec-ration of any religious symbol in any form is not a ‘democratic right’ but a confirmation of the fact that the West has gone rogue.

Islam is the religion of peace, and Muslims living in any corner of the world believe in this injunction. The sanctity of any religion must be the prime responsibility of all, irrespective of their own religion.

The various nations across the world together represent a community and they must always strive to promote mutual respect and understanding. This includes treating various religions and their followers without bias.

The world, especially the Islamic world, should step forward to condemn the recent act, and to ensure that the notion of ‘freedom of expression’ must be practised within its due context.

Muhammad Faizan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2023