A copy of the Quran with English translations was brought as a gift for the ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia, Joachim Bergstrom, together with a memorandum objecting to the recent destruction of the Muslim holy book by a right-wing politician in Stockholm, Sweden.
The copy and memorandum were presented to an embassy official by Malaysian Consultative Council for Islamic Organisation (Mapim) president Azmi Abdul Hamid (above, left), Alliance of Global Mosques Defending Al-Aqsa chairperson Ahmad Awang and PKR International Bureau secretary Fakhrurazi Mokhtar at 11am today.
Speaking to reporters outside the embassy in Kuala Lumpur, where some 100 supporters are gathered, Azmi said their message for the ambassador include a request for him to attempt and read the translated texts in order to have a better understanding of Islam.
"If there is anything that he finds to be unclear or if there are any questions, he (ambassador) should feel free to come to us," said Azmi.
When contacted, Azmi said an important message is to urge the Swedish government to take action, heeding stern calls from many Muslim countries.
"The pressure must be kept up and there is no need to raise other issues that can trap Muslims into committing acts of terror or war, that is not a smart move," he said.
Azmi said this when asked for comments on an earlier protest led by the controversial Islamist group Hizbut Tahrir that, among others, amplified its call for the rise of an Islamic Caliphate.
"We need to be firm, send a stern message and if they (Sweden) refuse to heed, we can consider a boycott.
"More pressure can also be mounted on the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) to take action against any countries that committed such contemptuous actions," said Azmi.
Azmi also urged Muslims to not fall for acts of provocation with possible intentions to stoke Islamophobia.
"We must be wiser to such tactics and take the right action to pressure them (Swedish government) into issuing an apology and take action against the offending parties," he added.
Religion of peace
Meanwhile, Hulu Langat MP Sany Hamzan said that any call for jihad or holy war should not be the accepted approach in condemning the action to burn the Quran.
"We ask the Swedish ambassador to read the translations, verses that explain goodness, prosperity, life, living in harmony and others.
"Islam is a religion of peace, a religion that brings a blessing to all mankind," he told Malaysiakini.
"To call for war or jihad, I don't think that's the path that we will take.
"We prefer dialogues and other methods to approach the non-Muslims, following the way of the prophet Muhammad SAW," said the former Amanah youth chief.
In Malaysia, Hizbut Tahrir's activities have been declared illegal in several states, including through state fatwas that declared its teachings to be going against Sunni Islam.
Last week, Swedish-Danish extremist politician and Stram Kurs (Hard Line) party leader Rasmus Paludan courted controversy after he burnt a copy of the holy book in Stockholm, Sweden, triggering a global outcry.
His party, which was founded in 2017, has contested in both Denmark and Sweden but has failed to garner a single seat and garnered only a handful of votes.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim demanded the Swedish government take action against the Islamophobic act of the politician which he described as a grave provocation to Muslims all over the world. - Mkini
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