Denmark passes bill to stop Koran burnings

Denmark's parliament passed a bill on Thursday that makes it illegal to burn copies of the Koran in public places after protests in Muslim nations over the desecration of Islam's holy book raised Danish security concerns, Report informs via Reuters.

Denmark and Sweden experienced a series of public protests this year where anti-Islam activists burned or otherwise damaged copies of the Koran, sparking tensions with Muslims and triggering demands that the Nordic governments ban the practice.

Denmark sought to strike a balance between constitutionally protected freedom of speech, including the right to criticize religion, and national security amid fears that Koran burnings would trigger attacks by Islamists.

Domestic critics in Sweden and Denmark have argued that any limitations on criticizing religion, including by burning Korans, undermine hard-fought liberal freedoms in the region.