Denmark: In an effort to defuse rising tensions with several Muslim countries, the Danish government announced on Friday its plan to introduce new legislation that would put a ban on burning copies of the Qur’an in public spaces. The declaration was made just one day subsequent to the Turkish Foreign Ministry summoning the charge d’affaires of Denmark in Ankara. This summoning occurred in response to yet another incident involving the disrespectful treatment of Islam’s sacred text.
Protestors burnt copies of Qur’an
Over the past few weeks, Denmark and Sweden have witnessed a series of protest in which copies of the Qur’an have been set ablaze or subjected to various forms of harm. These occurrences have sparked considerable indignation among Muslim nations, leading to calls for the Nordic governments to intervene and prevent these burnings.
Addressing a press conference, Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said, “The government will propose legislation that prohibits the inappropriate handling of objects with essential religious significance for a religious community. The proposal will thus make it punishable to, for example, in public burn a Qur’an, Bible or Torah”
Denmark removes border controls
On Wednesday, Denmark formally removed the escalated border controls that it had previously put in place due to heightened security apprehensions triggered by a series of incidents involving the burning of the Qur’an. In response to these incidents, the Nordic nation had recently announced its consideration of prohibiting Quran-burning protests and gatherings within its territories. This deliberation, however, had been met with opposition from various political parties, despite the mounting criticism.
The upcoming legislation is set to be incorporated within Denmark’s penal code, specifically in chapter 12, which pertains to matters concerning national security. Hummelgaard clarified that the primary rationale behind implementing the ban stemmed from concerns related to national security.
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