Those who keep up with the developments regarding the insult to Islamic sanctities, particularly the burning of copies of the Quran in European countries, grasp the gravity of the situation. It impacts both the expected international collaboration in countering extremism and terrorist ideologies, as well as the efforts to foster a culture of tolerance and coexistence among different nations and peoples.
Without a doubt, some European governments use the catchphrase of freedom of expression to justify these transgressions and violations, unjustifiable and baffling when we consider the potential repercussions when dealing with such a highly sensitive issue that deeply affects the emotions of over one and a half billion Muslims worldwide, including the Muslim citizens of these countries.
However, what grabs my attention in this matter is that the Islamic response to these violations goes beyond the formal protocol framework. It’s no longer limited to official protests or conveying the countries’ angry positions to European authorities. Instead, well-known extremist organizations like the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have gotten involved, which comes as no surprise. Its commander, Brigadier General Hossein Salami, issued a threat of revenge, saying, “We will not allow those who insult the Quran to have security. If someone wants to play with our Quran and religion, we will play with all his world. Sooner or later the vengeful hand of mujaheds will reach politicians and stage managers behind this sort of crimes.”
The continuous repetition of Quran insults in Denmark and Sweden needs to be put to an end, and the authorities in both countries must confront these violations firmly and decisively. This is vital for maintaining global security and stability because the way this matter is being dealt with fosters hostility between Islam and the West, providing fertile ground and ample opportunities for spreading terrorist ideologies, thereby endangering these countries themselves.
The involvement of organizations like the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and others in this crisis doesn’t benefit the interests of Islam, Muslims, or the West for that matter.
The way the leader of the Iranian militia makes these statements exploits these violations to stir up the emotions of millions of ordinary Muslims, even though such statements only drag the crisis into a slippery slope.
No sensible person wants these matters to be handled outside the legal framework. The authorities in the European countries, which have been and continue to be the stage for these unacceptable trespasses, should confront these radicals instead of giving them approvals or endorsing these crimes under the guise of freedom of expression.
And yet, the silence of these countries on the violations and their efforts to rationalize them rather than condemning them fuel extremism and embolden hardliners in the Islamic world to amplify their voices and attract many to their positions and ideas promoting revenge, defense of Islam, and other slogans.
The hush from the relevant authorities in European countries and the repeated offensive violations against the sentiments of all Muslims also create a serious political headache for governments of Islamic countries. It undermines their efforts to root out extremism and radical ideologies from their societies and may impede their ability to address unacceptable practices, such as attempts to storm or launch attacks on European embassies, fueled by apparent anger or protectiveness towards Islam, but in reality, exploiting slogans and inflaming emotions. These offensive violations are already being exploited by extremist organizations to further their goals and spread their ideas within communities.
The recurrence of vile actions that offend the feelings of all Muslims cannot be justified within any political or legal framework. The principles concerning the preservation of freedoms are clear and unambiguous. What is happening again and again is nothing more than a breach of these constitutional and legal principles, even before being a violation of Islamic or other sanctities.
Laws and constitutions are all established to ensure the security and stability of countries and people, preventing anything that threatens or undermines this security. Therefore, permitting any infringement on sentiments has no association with safeguarding constitutional rights and involves a deliberate misinterpretation or a lack of understanding of the situation from all angles.
Moreover, such decisions and stances have catastrophic consequences on the culture of tolerance and coexistence, which serves as the sole lifeline for humanity to steer clear of the epidemic of violence and terrorism and hopefully eradicate them completely.
