<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith has said they deeply condemn the repeated incidents of the public burning of Holy Quran in a few countries as they insult the sacred values of Muslims worldwide.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He met the UN Secretary-General António Guterres today at his office in his capacity as the Acting Chair of the OIC CFM.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He was accompanied by representatives of other OIC countries including Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mauritania and Pakistan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During the meeting, Ambassador Muhith told the secretary-general that such despicable acts of Holy Quran's desecration not only inflames the sentiments of Muslims worldwide but also goes against the principles of freedom of expression, religious tolerance and individual beliefs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He further stated that inaction against this form of religious hatred may lead to incitement of violence and thus destabilize the peace and security in many countries.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Dhaka calls on UN Secretary-General to convey OIC’s deep condemnation on burning of Holy Quran&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Photo: Collected</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In this context, he also referred to the case of Rohingya Muslims who were forced to take shelter in Bangladesh owing to the consequences of religious and ethnic hatred in Myanmar.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Muhith urged the UN secretary general to request all UN member states to take appropriate legal measures at the national level to combat religious intolerance including Islamophobia, hate speech and desecration of Holy Quran and other religious symbols.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Secretary-General Guterres expressed his solidarity with the OIC members and strongly condemned this heinous act of religious hatred.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He also assured the OIC representatives that he would do his best in his capacity as the UN secretary-general to support the global efforts in preventing the recurrence of such anti-religious hatred in future.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier led by Ambassador Muhith, OIC representatives called on the President of the General Assembly Csaba Kőrösi on 14th July and President of the Security Council for the month of July Ambassador Dame Barbara Woodward on 20th July to express the similar concerns. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>