New burnings of copies of The Quran in Denmark

Once again, the burning of a copy of the Quran in Europe has provoked anger in the Muslim world. This time it has happened in Copenhagen, in front of the Egyptian and Turkish embassies, following similar acts in recent weeks in both Denmark and Sweden. The authorities in both countries have condemned the events, although they claim they are unable to ban them due to laws relating to freedom of expression. However, Muslims consider what happened to be a serious offence and a provocation.

Before burning a copy of the Muslim holy book near the Egyptian and Turkish embassies, the Danish ultra-nationalist group calling itself 'Danish Patriots' carried out similar actions in front of the Iranian and Iraqi embassies, where they also raised banners with Islamophobic phrases. 

In response, Egypt has summoned its chargé d'affaires in Sweden to condemn the events and express its "complete rejection of the unfortunate and repeated incidents of burning copies of the Holy Quran", a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Turkey, for its part, has condemned what it calls a "despicable attack" on the The Quran and urged Denmark to take measures to prevent this "hate crime" against Islam. Iraq has spoken out in a similar vein, calling on the authorities of EU countries to "reconsider" freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate following repeated burnings of copies of the Quran.  

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell has condemned the burning of the Quran, saying that racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance "have no place in the European Union". "The desecration of the Koran, or any other book considered sacred, is offensive, disrespectful and a clear provocation," the statement said.

Other countries such as Algeria, Lebanon, Syria, Uzbekistan, as well as the Arab League and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, have also expressed their strong rejection of what has happened.

These latest burnings of copies of The Quran in Copenhagen further strained ties between Muslim and European nations, especially Denmark and Sweden, which was widely criticised last month for allowing the burning of a Quran during the religious holiday of Eid Adha, one of Islam's most important days.  

As a result of this incident, diplomatic relations between Stockholm and the Muslim world have deteriorated significantly. Morocco decided to recall its ambassador to the Swedish capital for consultations "indefinitely", while Iraq opted to expel the Swedish ambassador from Baghdad and withdraw its chargé d'affaires from the Nordic country.

In Iraq, in particular, numerous protests have taken place in front of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad. The building was even stormed and set on fire by Iraqi protesters on the orders of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. However, the Iraqi government condemned the violence against the embassy and promised to protect the country's diplomatic missions. In addition to the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad, demonstrators also attacked the premises of the Danish humanitarian association Danish Refugee Council in the city of Basra.