ALGIERS, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Algerian Foreign Ministry has summoned the Danish ambassador and Swedish charge d'affaires in Algiers over the recent burning of the Quran in the two countries, said a ministry statement on Monday.
In the meeting with the two diplomats, the ministry expressed deep concern over the recurring burning and desecration of the Quran in the two countries, and condemned these acts, which it said are offenses to Muslims worldwide and their religious beliefs.
The ministry emphasized that "such heinous and abhorrent acts are unjustified even in the guise of expression freedom."
Algeria demanded that the Swedish and Danish authorities take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such offensive acts in the future, because "these reprehensible acts, which run counter to the values of tolerance and coexistence, are likely to fuel hatred and Islamophobia." ■