PM Shehbaz calls upon nation to protest against Holy Quran's desecration

The day was announced during a meeting held in Islamabad under the chairmanship PM Shehbaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday emphasied upon the people of Pakistan to register their protest against the desecration of the Holy Quran as the nation observes “Youm-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran”.

“When it comes to the [matter of] Quran, the [entire] nation is united. The entire Muslim ummah is disturbed by the incident in Sweden,” the premier said on th occasion of the Quram Sanctity Day.

The prime minister’s remarks come after a man desecrated the Holy Quran in Sweden’s capital Stockholm last month, resulting in strong condemnation from several Muslim states, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the European Union, Pope Francis and the Swedish government as well, among others.

میرے اہل وطن! بات ہو قرآن کی تو قوم ایک ہے۔ سانحہ سویڈن پر پوری امتِ مسلمہ مضطرب ہے۔ ایک بد بخت کے ہاتھوں قرآن پاک کی بے حرمتی کے دلخراش واقعے پر اپنے جذبات اور احساسات کا اظہار کرنے کے لئے یوم تقدیس قرآن کے عنوان سے آج ہم سب یک آواز ہو کر ملک گیر احتجاج کریں گے اور بعد از…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 7, 2023

He further said the nation would unite to protest to “express their feelings and emotions over the disheartening incident”, adding that after the Friday afternoon prayers, “all classes of Pakistani Muslims will raise the flag of the Holy Quran’s honour and record their peaceful protest”.

The desecration of the Quran in Sweden is another example of the rising Islamophobic mindset that seeks to dehumanise and denigrate our faith. It is an act of blatant provocation to try inflame sentiments and undermine Islam as a religion of peace, tolerance, and acceptance.… pic.twitter.com/8Qpxw5Zjow

— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) July 7, 2023

Taking to Twitter, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the desecration was “another example of the rising Islamophobic mindset that seeks to dehumanise and denigrate our faith”. 

"It is an act of blatant provocation to try inflame sentiments and undermine Islam as a religion of peace, tolerance, and acceptance. Pakistan will be raising this issue at the UNHRC urgent debate in Geneva on behalf of the OIC Group on 11 July on the premeditated acts of desecration of Holy Quran," he further said in the tweet.

Nation observes Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran today

The nation will observe Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran today (Friday) across the country to lodge protest against the desecration of Holy Quran in Sweden.

The day was announced during a meeting held in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif.

In this regard, peaceful protest demonstrations will be staged all over the country during which people belonging to different walks of life will take part to express their resentment over the desecration of holy Quran in Sweden

Ulema belonging to different schools of thought will throw light on the sanctity of Holy Quran during their sermons of Friday prayers.

Nation to hold peaceful protests: PM

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the entire nation would protest across the country under the title of Holy Quran Day today.

He said after Friday prayers all Pakistani Muslims will raise the flag of the Holy Quran and record their peaceful protest.

“Quran is in our hearts”, he said adding that the entire Muslim Ummah is worried about the tragedy in Sweden.

“In order to express our feelings and emotions about the desecration of the Holy Quran at the hands of an ill-fated person, we will all protest nationwide today under the title of Holy Quran Day,” he said in a tweet.

“Quran is not only a reciting book for us but it gives us the guidelines to live.”