Free Dutch-translated copies of the Quran were distributed in the Netherlands’s Arnhem city to prevent the desecration of the holy book and promote a better understanding of the religion.

Passersby were given the holy book copies and brochures explaining Islam under the ‘Don’t Burn, Read’ event, Anadolu Agency reported.

In the recent past, several incidents of the holy Quran have been reported in the Netherlands and Sweden. The Muslim world has called upon the governments to stop such incidents from happening.

Last month, a leader of the far-right Patriotic Europeans Against the Islamization of the West (PEGIDA) movement desecrated the holy book.

The ‘Don’t Burn, Read’ event was organised by six mosque leaders at the city’s Jansplein Square. It is the same spot where far-right leader Edwin Wagensveld attempted to desecrate the holy book on January 13.

Galip Aydemir, the president of the Arnhem Turkiyem Mosque Foundation, told the Turkish news agency that they aim to convey to the people why Islam and the Quran are sacred to Muslims.

He expressed a desire for unity among the people of Arnhem, saying: “Let the Quran and all sacred texts not be burned, but read.”

John Maters, a Dutch attendee who received a copy of the Quran, appreciated the event and criticised last month’s provocative actions by Wagensveld.

“When you think about the provocative action carried out last month, you turn people into enemies against each other. I don’t think you have to be religious to understand that this doesn’t make any sense,” he added.