Quran Desecration Has Nothing to Do with Freedom of Expression: Lebanese Qari
Muhammad Mahmoud Shouman, who lives in southern Lebanon, is a Quran reciter and an expert in Sawt (melodious voice) and Lahn (rhythm).
Speaking to IQNA, he said burning the copies of Islam’s Holy Book displays deep hatred, lack of understanding and awareness and the ill intention of those who take such sacrilegious measures.
They seek supremacy and try to hold religions in contempt by taking such actions which have nothing to do with freedom of expression and freedom of speech, the Lebanese qari added.
He said they in the West desecrate the Holy Book of over a billion Muslims while if someone makes the slightest criticism of the Zionists, he would face a harsh reaction.
Shouman referred to verse 13 of Surah Al-Hujurat of the Holy Quran: “People, We have created you all male and female and have made you nations and tribes so that you would recognize each other. The most honorable among you in the sight of God is the most pious of you. God is All-knowing and All-aware,” and said this verse should be used to promote dialogue and bring people closer together.
Unfortunately, however, he said, the rule of jungle is dominating the world today.
Asked about reaction of the anti-Islamic acts of sacrilege in the world especially in the West, he said all Muslims condemn such moves and should show their anger and condemnation in different ways such as holding peaceful demonstrations, summoning the ambassadors of the countries where Quran desecration takes place, holding rallies in front of their embassies, etc.
He said the issue should also be discussed at the UN Security Council so that a global understanding is created about the need for respecting religious sanctities.
Every Muslim should have a profound understanding of the Quran, its interpretation, his religion and religious sciences in order to be able to rationally confront those who seek to distort the image of Islam and its Holy Book, he went on to say.
In recent months, there have been numerous cases of Quran desecration in a number of European countries, including France, Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.
In the latest example of such Islamophobic moves, radical elements in the Ukrainian army recently released a video featuring their desecration of a copy of Islam’s Holy Book.
The TikTok video posted online shows Ukrainian soldiers tearing a page from a copy of the Quran and placing it in a fire, where it subsequently caught alight.
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