Iran urges Europe to confront Islamophobia seriously, effectively

Following the recent desecration of the Holy Qur'an in Sweden, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has called on Europe to effectively confront Islamophobia.

The top Iranian diplomat made the remarks on Tuesday, speaking on the phone with the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

The conversation came less than a week after two men stood outside the Swedish capital of Stockholm's central mosque and burned a copy of the holy book following a go-ahead given to them by a Swedish court.

The repeated and state-authorized instance of sacrilege against the Muslim holy book was made to coincide with the Muslim festivity of Eid al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), which marks the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage that is partaken by millions of Muslims from across the world.

Iran has repeatedly declared its vehement denunciation of the act of desecration, summoning Sweden's chargé d'affaires on one occasion to convey the Islamic Republic's protest against the heinous insult.

Iran summons Sweden's chargé d'affaires in protest at Qur'an desecration

Iran summons Sweden

Amir-Abdollahian repeated Tehran's strong condemnation of the instance of sacrilege, noting how the insult had bruised the sensitivities of Muslims around the world.

Borrell, for his part, said insulting the Noble Qur'an "is not the EU's position," adding, "Whatever [act of] insult or [other] measure targeting religions is completely condemned in the eyes of the union."

The Albanian police's recent raid on the camp hosting the anti-Iran terrorist cult of the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) was also discussed during the conversation.

Amir-Abdollahian said the action, although taken rather lately, served as an experience for the European countries that had endangered the security of their own people by supporting the group.

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Iran has commended the Albanian government for its action against the MKO terrorists during the raid on their camp in the northwestern region of the capital, Tirana, describing the operation, which was conducted by the Albanian police, as a “step forward.”

The MKO has carried out numerous terrorist attacks against Iranian civilians and government officials since the victory of Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979. Out of the nearly 17,000 Iranians killed in terrorist attacks over the past four decades, about 12,000 have fallen victim to the MKO’s acts of terror.

Albanian police forces entered the MKO camp, known as Ashraf-3, on June 20 due to the cult's engagement in “terror and cyberattacks” against foreign institutions. Authorities seized 150 computer devices linked to terrorist activities. At least one person was killed and dozens of others were injured during the clashes at the camp.

More than a week later, the police entered the camp again and security forces were deployed at the entrance to the camp to control all vehicles leaving the site.

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama later said the MKO had to leave the country if it wanted to use Albanian soil to fight against Iran, adding that his country had no intention of being at war with Iran and "does not accept anyone who has abused our hospitality."

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