The Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has censured certain governments over their “indefensible” support for the desecration of holy scriptures under the banner of free speech.
Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks during a meeting with the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Sunday.
“In the world’s current situation that divine books are being desecrated, dialogue between the leaders and followers of the Abrahamic religions is more important than ever,” he said.
“The move by certain governments to issue permission for the desecration of religious sanctities and divine books under the pretext of freedom of expression is totally indefensible.”
He also referred to Iranian President Raeisi’s address to the UNGA, where he held up a copy of the Qur’an in denunciation of the recent blasphemous burnings of the Qur’an in Sweden and Denmark, saying, “The fires of disrespect will not overcome the divine truth.”
Amir-Abdollahian thanked Pope Francis for his condemnation of the Qur’an burning and noted that all European countries should also follow suit.
