Pakistan appreciates Denmark’s decision to ban holy Qur’an burnings

Celina Ali

Islamabad: Pakistan appreciates the Danish government’s decision to prohibit the burning of copies of the Holy Qur’an, the caretaker Foreign Minister said this week, as the Nordic country attempts to reduce tensions with the Muslim world.

Denmark and Sweden have seen a string of protests in recent weeks where copies of the Holy Qur’an have been burned, or otherwise damaged, prompting outrage in Muslim countries which have demanded the Nordic governments put a stop to the burnings.

FM Jalil Abbas Jilani, said he discussed the matter over the phone with his Danish counterpart, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, describing the exchange as “welcoming.”

“Pakistan appreciates the Danish government’s proposed legislation to criminalize improper treatment of religious texts and objects of significant importance, including the Holy Qur’an,” Jilani posted on X.

Jilani said the Danish foreign minister reiterated his government’s strong commitment to respecting these religious sensitivities. “Looking forward to working closely with him to advance our common interests,” he added.

This week Denmark’s Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard announced the Nordic country would propose a legislation that prohibited inappropriate handling of objects with “essential religious significance for a religious community.”

The move would make it punishable to burn a Qur’an, Bible or Torah, he told a news conference.

The announcement came days after Denmark lifted heightened border controls it had imposed earlier due to increased security concerns arising from a series of the Qur’an burning incidents.

The Nordic country had lately issued a statement that it was mulling banning Qur’an-burning protests and gatherings.