Denmark looks to prevent burnings of Holy Quran

COPENHAGEN: The Danish government is looking to “find a legal tool” to aid authorities in preventing further incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran, Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told the national broadcaster DR on Sunday.

This came after Denmark faced strong condemnation over recent incidents of burning sacred scripture in front of other countries’ embassies.

See: Abhorrent practice of desecration of holy books needs to end: PM

“The burnings are deeply offensive and reckless acts committed by few individuals. These few individuals do not represent the values the Danish society is built on,” Rasmussen previously said.

He said the government will “explore the possibility of intervening in special situations where, for instance, other countries, cultures, and religions are being insulted, and where this could have significant negative consequences for Denmark.”

Rasmussen added, however, that whatever measure is taken “must be done within the framework of the constitutionally protected freedom of expression.”

Meanwhile, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is holding a virtual session for the Council of Foreign Ministers of Member States today to discuss such repeated incidents in both Denmark and Sweden.

“This session has been convened at the request of Saudi Arabia, the Chair of the 14th Islamic Summit, and the Republic of Iraq,” the OIC has said.

Denmark and Sweden have been widely criticised following anti-Islam protests, where the Quran was either desecrated or burned. Both countries responded by denouncing the acts, but with little legal action because of free speech laws.

Read also: Muslim nations outrage over Holy Quran desecration