Exclusive photos: Quran indeed ripped by police in Greece
May 24, 2009 by ImanK
These photos below were taken as evidence that indeed pages from the Quran were ripped by a police officer in Athens, Greece.
Photo credits to to www.enet.gr and www.ethnos.gr.
Related article: Operation broom: Racism in all its glory
Very sad to read about this event. It reminds me of similar situations in the Arab world, where Christian and Jewish text have been ripped and destroyed in the same manner.
Thank you for kind comment.
I was wondering if you have more information/evidence regarding the incidents you are reffering to.
We are here to discuss it but as in all cases the allegations as that is what they are at the moment need to be supported by evidence.
Kind Regards
Xenia
If indeed the police officer did knownly destroy the Qur’an then he should be punished to the full extent of the law. Until there can be a trial or full investigation everything written is only speculative. This incident reminds me of what happen back in the fall of 2008 when a police officer shot and killed a teenage boy, many negatively reacted against the police before all the facts were in, and that did not make the situation any better. Unfortunately we have some clashes reported with police again breaking out in Greece according to Reuters.
http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-39823720090522
“- Greek riot police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of Muslims who pelted them with sticks and stones outside parliament on Friday during protests over what they said was the destruction of a Koran by a Greek policeman.-”
XeniaYasmin I agree with your comment, “in all cases the allegations as that is what they are at the moment need to be supported by evidence” however I strongly disagree with your comment in your last post; Operation broom, racism in all its glory, “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.” It seems you have made two statements that contradict one and other and have made, dare I say, a racist comment by generalizing and accusing “Christian Orthodox Greeks” of supporting such inexcusable actions.
Dear Son of Sparta
I apologise if this is the impression you got. That I made a racist comment? I purely expressed my thoughts and feelings.
I believe that the officer in question was a Greek National Christian Orthodox as I ,and correct me if I am wrong do not believe that the Police Force in Greece would allow Foreign Nationals to join .
As Muslims are criticised by the behaviour of a few please allow me as well to generalise and say that Greek Orthodox Christians’ feelings and trends are reflected by this officer’s actions. This is not the only act of intelerance and as and if you live in Greece you can probably if you are honest with yourself pinpoint a few more problems.
Anyway Muslims are prohibited to descriminate on the basis of colour, ethnic origin. If I have been racist I repent to Allah first and may He forgive me.
What was the second statement that was contradicting?
That it was a show of intolerance and disrespect? How would you feel if the Bible was treaded on?
Kind Regards
Xenia
In fact Son of Sparta I would feel exactly the same if any Sacred Book was torn and treaded on.
This is the honest truth.
Blame the perpetrators and not the victims.
I do not think is appropriate to discuss the long awaited for official mosque and cemetery in Greece or the treatment of the immigrants by the Greek authorities at the moment.
Lets concentrate on the issue in hand.
Regards
Xenia
I agree with you that destroying any holy book that many people have faith in is highly disrespectful and can never be excused, particularly from a policeman. I have no problem if you feel angry or hurt by this incident towards the INDIVIDUAL, all I was trying to point out that simply because one person who happens to be a ‘Christian’ does such an act does not mean Greek Orthodox Christians are ALL somehow disrespectful and intolerant. If by example I said that a particular crime was committed by a man who is an immigrant in Greece and emphasized that fact, wouldn’t I indirectly be implying all immigrants in Greece commit crimes? By emphasizing the policeman was a Greek Orthodox Christian you are infact, perhaps even subconsciously, creating a sterotype and discriminating against the officer’s faith (Christian Orthodox) which in reality does not support or condone any such bad behaviour. You see my point, an individual or even a group can do terrible things, doesn’t mean all others belonging to that same faith or nationality do terrible things or support terrible acts such as this one. Any such act committed by anyone of any religion towards another of a different religion cannot be acceptable.
BTW, XeniaYasmin I hope you understand I was not pointing this out as any personal attack and there is no need for any apology, I am just trying to illustrate an alternative viewpoint particularly as it pertains to rascism, sterotypes and intolerance.
Dear Son of Sparta
I am not angry. Anger is a luxury I can not afford. The police officer happened to be Greek and a Christian Orthodox. I used that to draw attention to the fact that the same thing has been happening to Muslims and Islam for ages. Any bad act that happens and the individuals involved happen to be or say they are muslims ,the press picks on muslims and Islam no end.Thus the negative picture of Islam and Muslims.
Muslims are this and that and Islam is this and that. The teachings of Islam forbids acts that have been committed by a few ignorant individuals who claim to be Muslims.
The situation was reversed by me on this instance and never as a result of retaliation but as an example of how Muslims and Islam have suffered for years.
It was an opportunity to show how it feels to be always treated with suspicion just because you are a Muslim.
I am an ex patriot Greek and I have fond feelings for Greece and Greeks.
I hope this clarifies the situation/
Kind regards
Xenia
So, SonOfSparta, now you know how it feels being told to that “you don’t get a mosque, until Turkey recognizes the rights of the Greek Orthodox Christians in Constantinople”.
It feels unfair to get the responsibilities of things you haven’t done, put on your shoulders, and the fact that someone that has the same characteristics as you, did something wrong, cannot in any possible way mean that you are guilty as well because of sharing these characteristics.
This also clarifies how the “original sin” is as well not something that the children of those who committed it, are responsible for (for what their parents did), but that’s another story.
In any way, I guess you got the point, so no use continuing.
We both are in difficult positions, and we both should help each other out.
Greetings,
Amir.
Οπωςδηποτε δεν πρεπει να χρεωθουν ολοι οι χριστιανοι το λαθος ενος ανθρωπου ,οπως και ολοι οι μουσουλμανοι να χρεωθουν το λαθος καποιον αλλον που φταινε για τα επεισοδια,αλλωστε πραγματι ειδα πολλους χριστιανους συμπολιτες μας στις ειδησης που καταδικασαν την πραξη αυτου του αστυνομικου κατι που αποδεικνυει οτι οι ελληνες δεν ειμαστε ρατσιστες εκτος μιας μικρης πιστευω μεριδας.
Ο περισσοτερος απλος κοσμος αγκαλιαζει τους συνανθρωπους του,ειτε προκειται για αλλοδαπους ειτε για αλλοθρησκους.
Xenia,
It is sad to me that a Greek would convert to the religion of hatred and violence. The incredible amount of Greeks and other Christians who suffered at the hands of Muslim( who are not racist, bigoted, etc!!!!!) is incalcuble. How many Greeks are left in Turkey? How many Jews are left in any Muslim country? All the wars and problems in our time are where? The answer is Muslim countries. There is no history of democracy, womens’ rights, political rights, religious rights, etc. I have many friends who are Muslim and I always keep who they are separate from their religion. In the end all non-believers will have a chance to be saved through Jesus Christ.
Spero ,hello and hi.
I read your comment with regret. Why would I let the misconceptions you and others might have about Islam get on the way of my personal search for the truth?
People commit crimes and wars using the name of religion all the time when we all know that they have hidden agendas.I do not want to bring up the Crusades or whatever else. I believe in Jesus as a Prophet and a Messenger of God.May God’s peace be upon him. I love him and respect his teachings but I do not worship him. The same goes for his mother Maryam RA.
Islam is not a Religion that can be explained in a 5-10 line reply like this.If you want to know more please make a list of your questions regarding Islam and I will try to reply.
The problems and wars are in Muslim counties as the West is in pursuit of their wealth and the prosecution of their beliefs and religion. Do you know why? How much do you know about Islam to get to the conclusion that it is a Religion of Violence? Have you Read the Qur’an and the Prophetic ways or you just you know what you know from what the media and what you “heard”?
By going through the teachings of Islam, it is clear that such a religion has only come to benefit mankind -not to destroy it. So why is there so much hatred for this noble religion in the West? The answer is simple, the media. It is the influenced media of the West which has portrayed Islam to be something that it is not.
And if this media really had nothing against the religion of Allah, then why does it not inform the people that every day hundreds are entering the religion of Islam? Such things will never be highlighted in the Western media, simply because to do so would be against their very interests.Can you imagine? No sale of alcohol interest, cigarettes, corruption at all levels, broken family life and broken societies? Your everyday subdued citizen would wake up and see the Rulers for what they stand. Personal gain and world domination.
So please do not judge Islam by by the conduct of a minority of its people. Look at the bigger picture.
This is what Allah SWT says in the Holy Qur’an:
“They intend to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will complete His light even though the disbelievers hate (it)” The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 61, Verse 8.
If you really want to know why A Greek like me reverted to Islam please read the Holy Qur’an and the Sun ah. I hope this answers your questions. I really do not want to involve myself in any political debate. I just want to believe in One God Only with No partners.
Look into it and you will see.
Don’t worry or be sad for tearing words that are not from God… I am an Arab and understand what they teach and what they do …
I Saudi arabia, they tore lot of bibles, threw the cross on the floor and stepped on it with there filthy shoos and you know the Cross is the sign of Salvation where Jesus died for our sins and every human sin on this earth.
The have the plan to invade the earth with there teachings through paying monies, and abusing people feelings with love and care they show but at the end you discover they’re wolves attacking to destroy spiritually Christ message, salvation, and peace…
They never compare their book to our Holy Book to see the truth… but They compare their books to human actions… to show faults…
Please people of the Lord … Read your bibles and understand more about the prophecies…
Jesus said the Road of Salvation is narrow and full of misunderstandings, that those who don’t hold on Jesus will loose the way… It is Written that false prophets are known from their fruits.
ArabicGulfian, can you prove these claims?
Somehow I hope you can’t, but you might, so I’m declaring it now that if Saudi Arabs do these things they are totally contradicting their own faith and should stop doing so.
Even if Muslims believe there is only information about the original Gospel of Jesus (aleyhi salaam) in the bible, and even if they believe only portions of the true Torah etc. are in the Bible, they should respect it.
Now about the cross…I don’t know…ok, they should respect other religions, but I’m not sure about objects of worship, what the rulings could be on that.
Also, those who you see and you can say “this is truly a good Muslim” are not that many either…as with Christians it’s the same thing, and I think that good Muslims and good Christians would have automatically an understanding for one another.
But you get my point? Such people exist in Christianity as well, and we should all strive towards becoming like those people.
Take as example, people like Dr. Jamal Badawi (don’t know if you know him, he is a quite famous Muslim debater), his deeper understanding of Islam, which he makes his lifestyle in a sense, you simply see in his manners what a…true human being he is. Gentle, humble, I would say even wise but he wouldn’t admit it so anyway
@ArabicGulfian,
About your comment: “They never compare their book to our Holy Book to see the truth… but They compare their books to human actions… to show faults…”
I dare you to read your holy book from cover to cover without feeling uncomfortable (to say the least).
And once you’re done with that, I dare you to read the Qur’an and compare your Bible to it (if you can).
This in not meant to offend anyone; but for me, it’s all too clear that you have no idea about what’s in your holy book and what’s in ours.
Why is it that millions upon millions of people around the world can memorise the Noble Qur’an in Arabic – and the overwhelming majority of them don’t even speak Arabic, when hardly anyone can memorise the Bible from cover to cover even in their own language?
Is it because “Islam is the religion of the Devil” and “The Devil is so good at what he does”. If that’s the case, then – according to you – the Devil must have the upper hand in this world!
I challenge you to read the Qur’an and see for yourself how “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” (Matthew 7:18).
By the way, and just for the record: Islam teaches us that even though the Bible has been corrupted, there is still some of God’s word in it.
Peace be to those who follow the true guidance,
BrotherAdelfos