Al-Azhar of Egypt: Tearing the Quran in New York is an example of extremism and incitement against Muslims

In a statement, Al-Azhar of Egypt strongly condemned the tearing of a copy of the Holy Quran by an American far-right extremist in a church in New York City, and emphasized that such an action cannot be justified under the alleged claim of "freedom of expression," because freedom cannot be a license to violate the sanctities of others or insult their beliefs and religious symbols.

Al-Azhar emphasized in its statement that Almighty God has guaranteed the preservation of the Holy Quran, and that the Quran will remain a guiding book for humanity and a guide to the values of goodness, truth, and beauty, and that acts born of bigotry, malice, and hatred cannot diminish its sanctity.

Al-Azhar also warned that such actions indicate an escalation of Islamophobia, hostility towards Muslims, white nationalist tendencies, and the discourse of white racial supremacy promoted by some far-right currents – discourses that are accompanied by incitement to hatred and violence against Muslims.

This institution emphasized that terrorism and extremism are not limited to any particular religion or race, and confronting extremism requires the condemnation of all its forms and manifestations, without selectivity or double standards.

Al-Azhar also condemned the use of places of worship to commit such provocative acts, and said that places of worship should be places of peace, worship, coexistence, and acceptance of others, not arenas for insulting sanctities or inciting hatred.

This institution called for an immediate investigation into this incident and the punishment of the extremist individual and all those who played a role in committing, inciting, or facilitating this act, and emphasized the necessity of enforcing the law against them without leniency.

In conclusion, Al-Azhar warned that tolerating hate crimes paves the way for their repetition, and that respect for the sanctities of religions and the protection of their followers from incitement and hate speech is a fundamental responsibility for all.