Larijani: World needs charter on religion

Iranian Parliament (Majlis) Speaker Ali Larijani has called for the creation of a new international charter to prevent the desecration of all divine religions.

In a letter to parliament speakers of the world, Larijani condemned the recent desecration of the Quran in the US and called on the International Organization of Parliaments (IPU) to facilitate the creation of the charter.

“Today people with extremist and dangerous thoughts have created challenges through their anti-Islamic words and actions such as the publication of the Satanic Verses, the blasphemous Danish cartoons [of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)], films such as Fitna and Surrender, and now their recent desecration of the Muslim holy book,” read the letter carried by ISNA.

Controversial lawmaker Geert Wilders produced a 14-minute film called Fitna (ordeal) designed to instigate Islamophobia and hatred towards Islam.

Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard published blasphemous cartoons of Islam’s Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). The cartoons were first published on September 30, 2005 in Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten, and reprinted repeatedly in newspapers in over 50, mostly Western, countries.

The moves were all met with fierce criticism from the international community. In many countries, including Iran, massive demonstrations were held to condemn the move.