Danish Patriots Set Fire to Korans in Copenhagen, Sparking Outrage
COPENHAGEN – A small group of anti-Islam activists ignited a wave of anger and protest after setting fire to Korans in front of the Egyptian and Turkish embassies in Copenhagen. This follows similar incidents in Denmark and Sweden over the past few weeks that have aggrieved Muslims in the region.
While both Denmark and Sweden have publicly stated their disapproval of the burning of Islam’s holy book, they maintain that they cannot prevent it due to the protection of free speech. Demonstrations in Iraq underlined the extent of the outrage, as protesters stormed and set alight the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.
Yesterday, in Copenhagen, a group known as “Danish Patriots” carried out their third Koran burning, with previous demonstrations having taken place in front of the Iraqi embassy. Sweden has also witnessed two such incidents in the past month.
The Iraqi foreign ministry criticized EU nations, urging them to reconsider their interpretation of freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate in light of these Koran burnings. Turkey has expressed its strong condemnation of the attacks on the holy book and called for Denmark to take measures against what it deems a “hate crime” towards Islam.
In response to the burning of the Koran, the Egyptian foreign ministry summoned Sweden’s charge d’affaires to condemn the desecration of Islam’s holy book.
Denmark, while denouncing the acts as “provocative and shameful,” maintains that it lacks the power to block non-violent demonstrations. Danish foreign minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen held a phone call with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Husseein, discussing bilateral relations and the recent Koran burnings.
“People benefit from an extended freedom of speech when they demonstrate,” says Trine Baumbach, a law professor at the University of Copenhagen. According to Danish laws, freedom of speech encompasses various forms of expression, including the burning of items.
The burning of the Koran by the Danish Patriots in Copenhagen has once again ignited a fiery debate surrounding freedom of expression and religious tolerance. While Denmark and Sweden decried the controversial acts, their inability to prevent such demonstrations highlights the limits of their power in protecting sacred texts. The repercussions of these burnings have not only been local but have also garnered international attention, prompting countries like Iraq and Egypt to protest against what they perceive as religious desecration. The ongoing discussions on the boundaries of freedom of speech and the right to demonstrate continue to shape the ongoing narrative.
