The European Union rejects any form of incitement to religious hatred

The European Union reaffirmed its strong and resolute rejection of any form of incitement to religious hatred and intolerance. In a statement issued by the European Union delegation in Cairo on Wednesday regarding the burning of the Quran and respect for community symbols, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, reiterated the union’s firm rejection of any form of incitement to religious hatred and intolerance, and emphasized that respect for diversity is a fundamental value of the European Union, which includes respect for other religious communities.

Borrell added that desecrating the Quran or any other sacred book is an attack, a lack of respect, and a clear provocation, noting that there is no place for expressing racism, xenophobia, and related prejudices in the European Union. He explained that the European Union will continue to defend freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression, both domestically and internationally, but not everything that is legal is ethical. He pointed out that it is time to stand together for mutual understanding and respect, and these acts committed by individual instigators only serve those who seek to divide us and our communities.