Denmark considers criminalizing desecration of sacred texts

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【Summary】Denmark is proposing a law to make it illegal to desecrate any holy book, including the Quran. Recent Quran burnings by anti-Islam activists have sparked protests in Muslim countries. The government seeks to extend the ban on burning foreign flags to include improper treatment of religious objects. The proposed law would only apply to public acts or those intended to spread widely. Violators could face fines or up to two years in prison.

FutureCar Staff Aug 25, 2023 10:26 AM PT

Denmark considers criminalizing desecration of sacred texts

The Danish government is proposing legislation to outlaw the desecration of holy books, including the Quran, in response to recent public desecrations by anti-Islam activists. The government aims to extend the existing ban on burning foreign flags to include the improper treatment of religious objects. Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard stated that the bill would make it punishable to burn the Quran or the Bible in public, with fines or up to two years in prison as potential penalties.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry has expressed its protest against the Quran desecration incidents in Denmark, summoning the charge d'affaires of the Danish Embassy five times in the past week. The Danish government has condemned the desecrations as senseless taunts and emphasized that freedom of expression is a fundamental value in Danish society, which will not be affected by the proposed law.

Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen highlighted the numerous protests, including Quran burnings, in front of Muslim embassies, stating that the proposed change is an important political signal from Denmark to the world. The bill will be presented to lawmakers on September 1st and will be dealt with before the end of the parliamentary year.

The proposed law will not cover verbal or written statements, including drawings. The Social Liberal party, previously opposed to tightening the law, has now expressed support due to the significant number of Quran burnings aimed at creating discord and uncertainty.

In 2006, Denmark faced widespread anger in the Muslim world after a newspaper published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. These images led to violent protests by Muslims worldwide, as they consider depictions of the prophet to be sacrilegious. The Danish government repealed a blasphemy clause in 2017 and has no plans to reintroduce it.