Under the Chairmanship of the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, His Eminence Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, the Muslim Council of Elders expresses its utmost condemnation of the tearing and burning of the Holy Quran by an extremist in the Netherlands which reflects a deep-rooted hatred and racism which is also universally rejected. 

The Council reiterates that such repeated barbaric infringements against Islamic sanctities are provocations to Muslims around the world and promote continued extremist and hateful rhetoric. 

The Council calls for the implementation of definitive measures to stop such abhorrent practices by punishing its perpetrators and instigators. These despicable actions, the Council stresses, cannot be justified under the guise of freedom of speech or expression.