The European Union has condemned in strongest terms the recent desecration of holy Qur’an in Switzerland as “disrespectful and offensive”.

In a statement on Saturday, the EU said this "provocative" act does not reflect the opinions of the bloc, stressing that “manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and related intolerance” have no place in Europe.

It went on to say that the EU continues to uphold freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression, both within its member states and internationally.

The statement further emphasized that “now is the time to stand together for mutual understanding and respect and to prevent any further escalation.”

It also noted that the incident was deemed even more offensive as it took place at the time when Muslims were celebrating Eid Al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice.

The EU also condemned the storming of the Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad, the statement said.  

On Wednesday, a 37-year-old Iraqi man stomped on the Qur'an before setting several pages alight in front of Stockholm's largest mosque. The insult to the Muslim holy book was made under the authorization and protection of the Swedish police. 

The incident, coinciding with the start of the Muslim Eid al-Adha and the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, drew the anger of Muslims from across the world.

On Friday, several thousand Iraqis gathered near the Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital of Baghdad for a second day of protests against the Qur’an burning.

People in other Muslim countries also took to the streets in protest against the move.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has convened an emergency meeting of its executive committee to address the consequences of the sacrilegious act.

Sweden has repeatedly permitted Qur'an burning in recent years. In January, a Swedish-Danish right-wing extremist burned a copy of the Qur'an near the Turkish embassy in Stockholm.