The Danish government has announced plans to propose a law that would ban the desecration of any holy book in the country, following a series of Quran burnings that have caused outrage in Muslim countries. Denmark's Justice Minister, Peter Hummelgaard, stated that the legislation would aim to prohibit the improper treatment of objects of significant religious significance and would make it a criminal offense to burn the Quran, Bible, or Torah in public. The proposed law, which would be included in Denmark's penal code, is intended to address the recent surge in Quran burnings, which Hummelgaard described as "senseless taunts" aimed at inciting discord and hatred.

Denmark just banned the burning of the Quran.

The burning of the Bible or any other religious text is also banned.

Based.

— Isabella Maria DeLuca (@IsabellaMDeLuca) August 25, 2023

The bill is expected to be presented to parliament on September 1 and has the support of the majority in the government. It remains to be seen when the proposal will be passed, but the government is keen to send a strong political signal to the rest of the world. The recent Quran burnings in Denmark and neighboring Sweden have sparked massive protests and triggered an international outcry, with many Muslim-majority countries urging European governments to take stronger action to prevent such incidents. In response, Denmark has stepped up security measures, and hundreds of protesters even stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. The proposed legislation in Denmark is seen as a necessary step to ensure national security and prevent further violent reactions.

The ban would extend to other religious texts as well, including the Bible and Torah. Those found guilty of desecrating holy books could face fines or up to two years in prison. However, the law would not apply to offensive verbal or written expressions, including caricatures. The Danish government is aware of the potential backlash and the anger that the Quran burnings have already caused worldwide. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen emphasized that the proposed law is a crucial political signal that Denmark wants to send to the world. While Denmark values freedom of expression as a cornerstone of its democracy, the government believes that safeguarding national security and preventing acts of provocation are equally important.

In 2006, Denmark faced significant protests and violence in the Muslim world after a newspaper published cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. The government wants to avoid a similar situation and has stated that the proposed law will not infringe on freedom of expression, which it considers a fundamental value in Danish society. The bill is expected to be dealt with before the end of the parliamentary year, and the government hopes it will address the current situation and prevent further Quran burnings.

The Social Liberal party, previously opposed to tightening the law, has now backed the proposal due to the increasing number of Quran burnings aimed at creating discord and uncertainty. With the support of the majority in parliament, the bill is likely to pass. The Danish government aims to strike a balance between protecting freedom of expression and preventing acts that incite hatred or violence. By criminalizing the desecration of holy books, Denmark hopes to send a clear message that it takes these incidents seriously and will take action to safeguard its national security while upholding its democratic values.