Denmark to Ban Quran Desecration after Global Backlash
The ban, which will be presented to parliament on September 1, will criminalize improper treatment of religious objects, especially public burnings and desecrations. The ban will also apply to other sacred texts, such as the Bible or the Torah. Those who break the law will face fines or up to two years in prison.
Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said the ban was motivated by national security concerns and respect for religious sentiments. He called Quran burnings "fundamentally contemptuous and unsympathetic acts" that harm Denmark and its interests. He also said that Denmark had increased security measures earlier this month in response to the backlash.
"We can't continue to stand by with our arms crossed while several individuals do everything they can to provoke violent reactions," Hummelgaard said.
However, the ban will not cover verbal or written expressions that may offend religious communities, such as caricatures. Hummelgaard stressed that Denmark remained firmly committed to its freedom of expression laws; the laws that have been extensively misused by extremists to desecrate the Holy Quran in the past few weeks.
Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said Friday that the Quran burnings had sparked "enormous anger in the entire world". He said that Denmark had made efforts to contain this anger, but the situation was still uncertain and unpredictable.
He also said that more Quran burnings may occur before the new law takes effect.
Muslim nations and organizations have urged the Nordic states to not let radical elements provoke the feelings of two billion Muslims under the guise of freedom of expression.
Source: Agencies
