KAMPALA, Uganda

Deputy Mufti of Uganda Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waiswa has condemned the act of burning the Quran in Sweden as "barbaric and disrespectful" to a religion professed by over 2 billion people. 

Speaking to Iran Press in his office at Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) on Monday, he appealed to Sweden and other European countries to stop protecting provocative behaviors towards Muslims that disturb their social peace.

“Provocation of violence among peaceful living Muslims is indeed uncalled for. In a civilized world like in a European society, it is shocking that a person is allowed to provoke the anger of over 2 billion people without repercussions is unimaginable,” he said.  

“Freedom of expression is not a right without limits and cannot be enjoyed in a way that belittles the rights and dignity of others” he added.

He said that the burning of Quran as part of freedom of expression is a "mockery" towards Islam and its followers adding that there should be a single standard for freedom of expression. 

He stated that imposing restrictions on the freedom of expression for those who deny or write negatively about the Holocaust, while allowing the desecration of the holy Quran, is a double standard. 

"Why would it be illegal to deny or write negatively about the Holocaust, but it is legal to offend Muslims? That is double standards," he said.

He questioned why the state grants permission for discrimination, prejudice, and offense against Muslims.