Denmark and Sweden experienced a series of public protests this year where anti-Islam activists burned or otherwise damaged copies of the Koran, triggering demands that the Nordic governments ban the practice. More than 500 demonstrations that included burnings of the Koran or flags were registered since July, Danish Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said. 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. “History will judge us harshly for this, and with good reason,” said Inger Stojberg, leader of the anti-immigration Denmark Democrats party. Sweden is also considering how to prevent burning of the Koran, but is looking at whether police should factor in national security when deciding on protest applications rather than a ban.
