Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen today
requested Sweden to send election observers to observe the Bangladesh’s
upcoming national polls while expressed his firm conviction that the Election
Commission will conduct the elections in a free, fair and peaceful
environment.
He made the urge while held a telephone conversation with his Swedish
counterpart Tobias Billström this afternoon, a foreign ministry press release
said here.
In reply, the Swedish Foreign Minister assured to convey the invitation of
sending election observers to the relevant authorities of Sweden.
The two foreign ministers held the tele-discussion regarding the issues
arising out from the desecrating of the Holy Quran in Sweden in the past
days.
Highlighting that Bangladesh strongly condemns any act of desecrating and
burning of a copy of the Holy Quran, for that matter any religious
scriptures, under any circumstances,
Momen expressed Bangladesh’s grave concerns over the repeated acts of
desecrating and burning of copies of the Holy Quran in Sweden in the past
days.
He reiterated Bangladesh’s call on all concerned to put an end to such
unwarranted provocations for the sake of mutual respect, harmony and peaceful
coexistence.
Terming Sweden as a trusted friend of Bangladesh, Minister Momen expected
that any such despicable act would not recur in Sweden.
The Swedish Foreign Minister mentioned that any Islamophobic acts are
condemned and rejected by the Swedish government.
He termed that desecration of the Holy Quran, or any other Holy Scripture is
an offensive and disrespectful act.
He stated that public agencies in Sweden make independent decisions and
accordingly, the Swedish Police Authority grants permits for demonstrations,
but it does not grant permits to burn a copy of the Holy Quran, or any other
Holy Scripture.
The Swedish Foreign Minister regretted that individuals, availing the Swedish
constitutional right to freedom of religion, freedom of expression and
freedom of demonstration, misuse these freedoms to insult such value which is
sacred to a religion.
He updated that the Swedish Minister for Justice has initiated an analysis of
the Public Order Act, in light of the recent events.
Momen stated that Bangladesh is a country of religious harmony, where
religious events are joined by all irrespective of their faiths.
He expressed satisfaction that Swedish authorities are taking corrective
measures.
The Swedish Minister termed Bangladesh society very tolerant and appreciated
religious harmony prevailing in Bangladesh.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha