Denmark bans the desecration of holy books in response to Quran burnings and protests

The government of Denmark voted to make the burning or destruction of holy books an illegal offence after a year filled with Quran burnings, protests, and international backlash.

Copies of the Quran were burned during summer protests in Denmark and Sweden, which included a famous incident outside of a mosque in Stockholm on the Muslim holiday Eid.

Several Qurans were burned outside foreign embassies in Copenhagen, as well, according to CNN.

Danish police also recorded more than 500 protests involving some form of Quran desecration between July-November 2023, RT reported.

The new legislation makes it a crime in Denmark to "to inappropriately treat, publicly or with the intention of dissemination in a wider circle, a writing with significant religious significance for a religious community or an object that appears as such."

Burning, soiling, trampling, or cutting are all included as forbidden acts against scripture. The law reportedly allows an exception for art that says a desecration can make up "a minor part" of a performance.

A 94-77 vote was made across party lines with Denmark's ruling three-party coalition. The Social Democrats, Venstre (which means "left"), and the Moderates make up the Danish left-wing government that represents nearly half of the country's seats.

The 2022 Danish election saw the three parties form an alliance with their combined 50.09% of the vote, or 89 out of a possible 179 seats. The Green Left party was the fourth most-voted party, as well.

Multiple parties condemned the new law, including the Socialist People’s Party.

“Does Iran change its legislation because Denmark feels offended by something an Iranian could do? Does Pakistan? Does Saudi Arabia? The answer is no,” said representative Karina Lorentzen.

"The law is designed to inhibit freedom of expression and artistic freedom. And that’s nothing to be proud of," said Steffen Larsen, legal representative for the Liberal Alliance, according to the Guardian.

"History will judge us harshly for this, and with good reason," said Inger Støjberg, leader of Denmark Democrats.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which represents 57 Muslim states, had “condemned” Sweden and Denmark in the summer of 2023 for allowing Quran-burning protests “under the garb of freedom of expression.”

In total, 15 countries issued official condemnations of the Nordic country. Turkey warned Denmark that it was allowing a "provocative act which clearly constitutes a hate crime." It also warned Sweden at the time that the "unacceptable" acts could damage its attempt to join NATO.

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