TEHRAN -- In reaction to the desecration of the Holy Qur’an, Swedish movies will not be accepted for screening at Iranian film festivals, head of the Iranian Organization of Cinema and Audiovisual Affairs says.
“We have decided to refrain from featuring or accepting Swedish films in various film festivals in Iran,” Muhammad Khazayee told an International Cinema Council meeting.
“Islamophobia and attacks on the beliefs of Muslims are suspicious behaviors exhibited by certain Western security and intellectual movements. Western movements have always sought to conceal their colonialist tendencies behind the mask of ‘freedom of expression’ by belittling, destroying, and discriminating against the values of other religions, especially Islam,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the ugly act of Islamophobia in the West has been repeated once again. Instead of engaging in dialogue to better understand religious commonalities and proximity of divine religions, the West has consistently fueled destruction, threats, isolation, religious animosity, and hatred,” Khazayee added.
“This is a misguided strategy that has led to the reactions by passionate, honorable, and freedom-loving Muslims worldwide.”
The recent desecration of the Qur’an in Sweden has resulted in widespread condemnation and calls for respect and tolerance from various religious and cultural organizations globally.