ARNHEM, The Netherlands (Bernama-Anadolu) — Copies of the Quran with Dutch translation were distributed in the Netherlands as part of the “Don’t Burn, Read” event, after last month’s attack on the Muslim holy book by the leader of a racist movement.
In Arnhem, located in the eastern part of the Netherlands, six mosque leaders organised the event at Jansplein Square, where far-right leader of the Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamisation of the West (PEGIDA), Edwin Wagensveld, attempted to burn a copy of the Quran on Jan 13.
At the event, free Dutch-translated copies of the Quran and brochures explaining Islam were distributed to passersby.
President of the Arnhem Turkiyem Mosque Foundation affiliated with the Dutch Diyanet Foundation, Galip Aydemir, told Anadolu Agency that they aimed to convey to the people why Islam and the Quran are sacred for Muslims.
He expressed a desire for unity and solidarity among the people of Arnhem, saying: “Let the Quran and all sacred texts not be burned, but read.”
A Dutch attendee who received a copy of the Quran, John Maters, appreciated the event and criticised last month’s provocative actions by Wagensveld.
“When you think about the provocative action carried out last month, you turn people into enemies against each other. I don’t think you have to be religious to understand that this doesn’t make any sense,” he added.
