COPENHAGEN: Denmark on Friday said it plans to ban Koran burnings after a string of desecrations of Islam’s holy book in the Scandinavian nation sparked anger in Muslim countries.
The government will present a bill that will “prohibit the inappropriate treatment of objects of significant religious importance to a religious community”, Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard told reporters.
He said the legislation was aimed especially at burnings and desecrations in public places, as Copenhagen seeks to de-escalate growing tensions with several Muslim countries.
Hummelgaard said Koran burnings were a “fundamentally contemptuous and unsympathetic act” that “harm Denmark and its interests”.
The new legislation would be included in chapter 12 of Denmark’s penal code, which covers national security.
Hummelgaard said that national security was the main “motivation” for the ban.
“We can’t continue to stand by with our arms crossed while several individuals do everything they can to provoke violent reactions,” he said.
The legislation will also apply to desecrations of the Bible, the Torah or, for example, a crucifix.
Those who break the law risk a fine and two years in prison.