Türkiye has voiced its approval of Denmark’s recent legislative initiative to counteract acts of disrespect against sacred texts, with a particular focus on the Quran.
Hakan Fidan, the Foreign Minister of Türkiye, commended the draft legislation introduced in the Danish parliament. This proposed law seeks to deter hate crimes and penalize those who desecrate religious scriptures.
In a joint media briefing with his Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, held in Ankara on October 27, Fidan conveyed his apprehensions about recent episodes in Denmark where the Quran was desecrated.
Fidan remarked, “It’s deeply unsettling to witness Denmark becoming a venue for attacks on our revered book, the Quran. Acts of sacrilege should never be misconstrued as an exercise of freedom of speech.”
Rasmussen, during a private discussion preceding the press meet, informed Fidan about Copenhagen’s endeavors to draft legislation that aims to curb hate crimes and hold the culprits accountable.
Elaborating on the bill, Fidan mentioned that the proposal, now under the consideration of the Danish parliament, recommends imposing fines and a potential jail term of up to two years for actions that jeopardize societal harmony and foster discord.
Rasmussen underscored the joint efforts of Denmark and Türkiye in crafting this legislation.
This collaborative initiative stems from a series of unsettling events where the holy Quran was set ablaze in front of several embassies, including those of Muslim-majority countries, in Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands. These acts have sparked widespread indignation and have put a strain on diplomatic ties. In light of these events, Denmark’s charge d’affaires was summoned to the Turkish ministry on August 18 and 21.