Athens: Muslims protest Koran destruction
May 22, 2009 by ImanK
Source: Reuters
Muslims protest alleged Koran destruction in Greece
Hundreds of Muslims marched through central Athens on Thursday, damaging shops and cars, to protest what they said was the destruction of a Koran by a Greek policeman.
The president of the Muslim Union of Greece, Naim Elghandour, said that during police checks at a Syrian-owned coffee shop on Wednesday, an officer took a customer’s Koran, tore it up, threw it on the floor and stomped on it.
In response, about 1,000 immigrants, many from Syria, Pakistan and Afghanistan, marched to central Omonia Square, smashing several shop windows and five cars, a police official said.
Police sources said an internal investigation was launched into the Koran incident.
“We were told by police we will be given the name of the policeman who did this so we can press charges,” Elghandour said.
Thousands of immigrants, many from Muslim countries, cross into Greece illegally every year seeking a better life in the West. Trapped in legal limbo, most have no jobs, live in squalid conditions and are often arrested for minor crimes.
On May 9, members of a rightist group attacked immigrants in Athens, sending at least three to hospital. Rights groups accuse predominantly Orthodox Christian Greece of not doing enough to protect immigrants.
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God The Creator is The All Mighty and Free of all needs. By destroying The Holy Qur’an which is a Sacred Book containing the words of God nothing has been deducted of His Might , Glory and Dominion.
What has been achieved by destroying The Holy Qur’an is a show of disrespect and intolerance by the Christian Orthodox Greeks and especially by a policeman, a man of authority whose job is to protect and safeguard all citizens despite ethnic origin or religious beliefs.
With such feelings of Islamophobia, and Xenophobia running so high in Greece there is no surprise that the Greek Muslims and Foreign Muslims ,residing legitimately in Greece and paying their taxes have been denied the basic right of an official place of worship and burrial.
As with regards to the riots following the incident I would very much doubt that there would be Muslims involved as we have been taught to be Patient at times of diificulties. None other than The Prophet of Islam (PBUH) hAD suffered more false accusations and insaults which sadly continue to the day for Him and His followers but , through His Teachings we have been taught patience.
I would say that Greek extremist elements seized the opportunity to cause destruction hoping that the incidents will reflect badly on Muslims and Islam and advance their campaign of hate.
I will just pray and hope that we all learn to tolerate and respect one another and ask God to forgive the perpetrators.