ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has expressed its appreciation for the decision by the Danish government to ban the desecration of the Holy Quran. A series of such incidents in Nordic countries, which led to protests in various Muslim nations, prompted this decision. The Danish Justice Minister, Peter Hummelgaard, informed reporters that Denmark intends to present a bill that would outlaw the inappropriate treatment of religiously significant objects for various religious communities. This would include the Holy Quran.
Interim Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Jalil Abbas Jilani, conveyed his appreciation through a tweet on social media platform X. He mentioned that Pakistan values Denmark’s move to criminalize the improper treatment of religious texts and objects of significant religious importance, including the Holy Quran
Jalil Abbas Jilani also shared that he had a positive conversation with Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen. During the talk, the Danish government’s commitment to respecting religious sensitivities was reaffirmed. He expressed his anticipation to collaborate closely with Denmark to advance common interests.
According to the Danish Foreign Minister, desecrating the Quran is a disrespectful and unsympathetic act that harms Denmark. The proposed legislation will be added to Denmark’s penal code under the chapter concerning national security.
The legislation will encompass the desecration of other divine books, such as the Bible or the Torah. It even involves religious symbols like crucifixes. Violators of this law could face fines and imprisonment of up to two years.
Denmark’s Decision to Address Religious Hatred Welcomed by Pakistan’s FO
Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) issued a statement welcoming Denmark’s decision. The statement emphasized that this move is a step in the right direction. It aligns with Pakistan’s stance that the desecration and burning of holy scriptures represent an act of religious hatred that should not be justified under the guise of freedom of expression, opinion, or protest. The FO stated that legal means should prevent and prohibit these provocative actions.
The Foreign Office expressed hope that Denmark’s initiative will be an effective step against desecration. It also encouraged other countries to follow suit in prohibiting such acts of hatred. The statement highlighted that the repeated incidents over the past months have hurt the sentiments of Muslims worldwide. These acts aim to disrupt interfaith harmony and mutual respect. The Foreign Office stressed that national governments should take necessary measures to prevent such acts of religious hatred.
