Danish proposal seeks to criminalize burning of religious texts

author: FutureCar Staff    

The Danish government announced on Friday that it plans to introduce a new law that would make it illegal to desecrate any holy book in Denmark. This decision comes after a series of public Quran burnings by anti-Islam activists, which have sparked angry demonstrations in Muslim countries.

Denmark has been criticized for allowing insults and denigration of other cultures, religions, and traditions. The center-right government aims to expand the existing ban on burning foreign flags to include "improper treatment of objects of significant religious significance to a religious community," according to Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard.

Hummelgaard explained that the proposed law would criminalize actions such as burning the Quran or the Bible in public, specifically targeting acts carried out in public places or with the intention of spreading them widely. Offenders would face fines or up to two years in prison.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry has expressed its concerns over the Quran desecration incidents by summoning the charge d'affaires of the Danish Embassy five times in the past week, as reported by Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency.

Hummelgaard condemned the recent protests as "senseless taunts that have no other purpose than to create discord and hatred." The Danish government has distanced itself from these desecrations but maintains that freedom of expression is a fundamental value in Danish society, which will not be affected by the proposed law.

Denmark's Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, emphasized that the proposed change is an important political signal that Denmark wants to send to the world. He revealed that there have been over 170 protests, including Quran burnings, in front of the embassies of Muslim countries.

The bill will be presented to lawmakers on September 1 and, if necessary, will be dealt with before the end of the parliamentary year, which is before Christmas, according to the Justice Ministry. It is important to note that the proposed law will not cover verbal or written statements, including drawings.

The numerous Quran burnings have even influenced the opinion of one party outside the government. The center-left Social Liberal party, previously opposed to tightening the law, now supports the proposal. Christian Friis Bach, a party spokesman, explained that the purpose of the Quran burnings in recent months has been to create discord and uncertainty.

In 2006, Denmark faced widespread anger in the Muslim world after a newspaper published 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, including one with a bomb as a turban. Muslims consider such images sacrilegious and encouraging idolatry, leading to violent protests against Denmark by Muslims worldwide.

FutureCar Staff