In a controversial event, two individuals from Denmark ignited a copy of the Holy Quran outside the Iraqi embassy in Denmark on Monday, which has been seen as an attempt to incite Muslim communities worldwide.
The event could potentially exacerbate the diplomatic relations between the countries involved. This incident comes after mass protests in Iran and Iraq, sparked by Denmark and Sweden sanctioning such desecrations under free speech laws. Earlier on Thursday, protestors in Iraq had set the Swedish embassy in Baghdad ablaze.
Reaction and Response to the Desecration
The two protestors involved are part of a group known as the “Danish Patriots”, a group that also conducted a similar demonstration the previous week, live-streaming it on Facebook.
In response, thousands of Iraqis assembled in Baghdad to protest against the events taking place in the Nordic countries. The gathering was orchestrated by several ruling Iraqi parties and armed factions, many of which have affiliations with Iran.
During Monday’s demonstration in Copenhagen, the organizer proceeded to step on the Quran and burn it in a tin foil tray alongside the Iraqi flag.
On Saturday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, announced that the most severe punishment was warranted for those who desecrate the Quran. Pope Francis, too, had condemned the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden, expressing his disgust and anger.
Following last week’s incident in Sweden where a man set the holy book on fire outside a mosque, the pope mentioned in an interview with UAE’s Al Ittihad newspaper, “Any book considered holy should be respected out of respect for its believers.” He added, “Freedom of speech should never be used as a means to despise others, and allowing that is rejected and condemned.”
