In a rapidly unfolding situation, Greece finds itself facing a potential threat as tensions rise over the gathering of foreign Muslims, predominantly Pakistanis, in the country. The Mayor of Paphos, Cyprus, Phedon Phedonos, has expressed deep concern about recent events in his city, urging the government to take immediate action.
The source of the concern lies in a post on social media, where Mayor Phedon Phedonos shared a video capturing a group of young Muslims marching in the tourist area of Paphos. The video shows the demonstrators shouting slogans, including the Islamic war cry, “Takbir – Allahu Akbar,” while holding the Qu’ran in their hands.
The phrase “Allah is greatest” is referred to as Takbir and is used in religious rituals and during the Islamic battle of conquest. Takbir was first known to be issued by Islam’s Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Badr on March 13, 624 A.D. It is also featured on many Islamic national flags, including Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan.
The demonstration was organized as a condemnation of an incident in Sweden where an Iraqi burned a Quran. However, the manner in which the march was conducted has raised concerns about religious fanaticism and its implications for social stability in the region.
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Police in Sweden granted permission for a demonstration at a Stockholm mosque during Eid al-Adha. This decision has sparked fury (who cares) from the Turkish government.
The demonstration, which took place on… pic.twitter.com/vZY4NbDSCh
— Amy Mek (@AmyMek) June 29, 2023
“The march of young Muslims today in the tourist area of Paphos with the Qu’ran in hand, displaying obvious religious fanaticism, must cause concern to the government and our State, and in general, to everyone for the actions that must be taken immediately. History does not forgive mistakes and omissions,” said Mayor Phedon Phedonos in his Facebook post.
Transcending the immediate circumstances, many Greeks harbor profound apprehensions regarding the assimilation of Pakistani migrants within Greek society. Their concerns are not unfounded, as Pakistan adheres to Islamic law, known as Sharia, and it becomes apparent that the demonstrators’ underlying objective revolves around the imposition of Sharia principles in Greece. Within this legal framework, those who dare to insult Muhammad or Allah are regularly condemned to execution, and often in truly barbaric ways. Similar consequences befall individuals who defile the Quran or commit acts of blasphemy against Islam, aligning with a long-standing tradition originating from the time of Muhammad himself, meticulously documented in the Hadith and recounted by his biographers. Moreover, a solid foundation for such practices can be found within the verses of the Quran.
Consequently, it is no surprise that Pakistani citizens march through the streets, vehemently protesting against the burning of the Quran in Sweden, and issuing grave warnings to the Greek populace, cautioning them of dire retribution should they dare desecrate their sacred texts. In Pakistan, even without tangible evidence, those accused of blasphemy are subjected to merciless acts of public lynching, subjected to death sentences in a court of law, or confined in prisons where their lives are frequently claimed by violent means.
The demonstration in Paphos is a stark warning to the Greek government and society as a whole. The protesters have made it clear that they will not tolerate any disrespect towards their religious beliefs, and perhaps more importantly, won’t tolerate any attempt to diminish Islamic primacy in whatever place Muslims live in numbers. Perhaps especially if it happens outside Greek borders. The fear is that such sentiments will lead to unrest, social tensions, and executions within Greece, as seen in Pakistan.