Is our world also burning with 'Holy Books'

 

Protestor Salwan Momika is seen outside the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm on July 20, 2023, where he burned a copy of the Quran and the Iraq flag (Image Source: Associated Press)

A series of Quran burnings in Sweden, Denmark and Copenhagen this year have enraged the Middle East. The situation worsened during Ramadan in June, when Iraqi refugee Salwan Momika burned a copy of the Quran outside a Stockholm mosque, drawing widespread condemnation from Middle Eastern governments. Last week, in another protest in front of the Iraqi embassy in Stockholm, Momika not only stepped on the Islamic holy book but burned it.

And, Sweden behaves like a mute spectator to requests to burn the Quran as well as more holy books, as if it is striking a delicate balance between its commitment to free speech alongside its desire to protect minorities.

In response, Iraqi protesters stormed and set fire to the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad. There have been many incidents of Quran burning around the world, particularly in recent years. The burning of the Quran, which is considered a holy book in Islam, is a highly controversial and sensitive issue, which has led to protests and violence across the Muslim world.

Such blasphemous  acts are often seen as provocative, offensive, and hateful by many people, both religious and non-religious, that sparked violent protests and riots in some cities, injuring dozens of people and damaging property.

The UN Human Rights Council has also condemned Quran burnings and religious hatred following a debate organized at Pakistan's request.

Desecration of religious books across the world,

Blasphemy is considered a serious offence by many religious believers who regard their holy books as the word of God or a source of divine guidance and wisdom. Blasphemy can take various forms, such as burning, tearing, desecrating, distorting or misinterpreting the holy books.

Which is a very sensitive and controversial issue that can provoke strong reactions from different religious communities. This is not the first time that our world witnessed the condemnation of religious text. In the last few years, such activities have increased rapidly in different parts of the world.

Yes, there have been many incidents of the Gita, Ramayana, and Bible being burnt or desecrated in different parts of the world. However, these incidents are relatively rare and are generally condemned by the vast majority of people regardless of their religious beliefs.

For example, in 2019, there were reports of a group of people burning copies of the Bible and the Gita in the Indian state of Punjab, which led to protests and condemnation from various religious and political leaders.

Whereas, in 2018, a group of Hindu nationalists in India burned copies of the Quran, Bible, and Gita in a public demonstration, that drew widespread criticism from people of all religious background; two more people were arrested  in New Delhi for allegedly burning copies of the Bible, Geeta, Quran, Guru Granth Sahib and the Constitution at India Gate on Independence Day in 2018.

Similarly, in 2017, a Christian pastor in Tamil Nadu was arrested for burning a copy of the Ramayana along with some Hindu idols as part of a prayer service. He said that he was following the instructions of his church leader who had allegedly told him to burn all Hindu scriptures and idols to cleanse his house of evil spirits. His act sparked outrage among the local Hindu community who demanded action against him.

There have also been cases of burning the Bible by anti-Christian groups or individuals in different parts of India. For instance, in 2016, a group of Hindu extremists burned several copies of the Bible and other Christian literature in front of a church in Telangana. They accused the church of converting Hindus to Christianity by force or fraud. In 2015, a man was arrested in Kerala for setting fire to a Bible and uploading a video of it on social media. He said that he did it to protest against the alleged conversion activities of some Christian missionaries.

Similarly, there have been incidents of the Quran being desecrated or burnt, which has also been widely condemned by people from different religious backgrounds.

In 2010, a pastor in Florida, USA, named Terry Jones threatened to burn copies of the Quran, which led to widespread condemnation and protests in various parts of the world. Jones eventually carried out the act in March 2011, although it did not lead to widespread violence.

In 2012, there were reports of Quran burning at a NATO military base in Afghanistan, which sparked protests and violence in the country.

In 2015, a man in Sweden burned a copy of the Quran, which led to riots in the city of Malmö.

In 2017, there were reports of Quran burning in India, which led to protests and violence in the country.

There have also been other cases of burning holy books in history, such as the burning of the Torah, the Jewish holy book, by the Nazis during the Holocaust, or the burning of the Bible, the Christian holy book, by communist regimes in China and the Soviet Union.

Today, many incidents of blasphemy probably go unreported or do not receive significant attention in the media. Additionally, some countries may not track or release data on cases of blasphemy or desecration of holy books.

Other known blasphemous acts in the world,

It's important to note that these are just a few examples, and there may have been other incidents of Quran burning that have not been reported in the media.

There have been many high-profile cases of blasphemy in recent years that have received significant media attention. For example, in 2019, Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi was acquitted of blasphemy charges after spending nearly a decade on death row. In 2020, a French teacher named Samuel Paty was beheaded by a radical Islamist for showing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in a classroom lesson on free speech.

Is this a freedom of speech or a crime?,

There have been several incidents of burning the Quran, the Muslim holy book, by far-right groups in Sweden and Denmark. Undoubtedly, this shocking act of religious intolerance shook the world and triggered many debates in global forums about freedom of expression.

However, some may argue that blasphemy of holy books is a matter of freedom of expression and opinion, which are fundamental human rights and must be protected by law. For example, the leader of the anti-Islam group Hard Line, Rasmus Paludan, has claimed that he burns the Quran as a tribute to free speech. People may claim that they have the right to criticize, question or reject any religious doctrine or belief that they do not agree with or find irrational or immoral. They may also claim that they have the right to express their artistic, creative or satirical views on any subject, including religion and its holy books. They may contend that blasphemy is not intended to harm or offend anyone, but to stimulate debate, dialogue and reflection on important issues.

While others may argue that it is a form of hate speech that should be banned or punished. There is no easy answer to this debate, as different countries have different laws and norms regarding freedom of expression and religious respect.

Some scholars argue that blasphemy laws can serve a legitimate purpose insofar as human rights law is concerned, as they can be a response to a public moral vision. Others contend that blasphemy laws are incompatible with the principles of democracy, pluralism, and tolerance, and that they violate the rights of religious minorities and dissenters.

There is no consensus on whether blasphemy of God is a freedom of speech or not. It depends on how one defines blasphemy, how one values freedom of speech, and how one balances competing rights and interests.

Certainly, burning holy books can have serious consequences for social harmony and peace. It can fuel hatred, violence and extremism among different groups. It can also undermine mutual understanding and dialogue among people of different faiths and backgrounds.

In fact, burning holy books is not only a heinous crime but also a sin that goes against the teachings of all religions. It is an act of ignorance and disrespect that harms not only the followers of a particular religion, but also the whole of humanity.

How is the blasphemy laws around the world?,

Blasphemy is a legal offense in many countries, which criminalizes the expressions of an insult or disrespect of religious doctrines. Many Muslim countries have laws that make blasphemy a crime and punish those who commit it.

According to a 2019 research by the Pew Research Center, 79 out of 198 countries have laws or policies that prevent blasphemy. In countries like Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the death penalty can also be given in these cases. There are 84 countries across the globe with criminal blasphemy laws on the books as of 2020. There are 84 countries across the globe with criminal blasphemy laws on the books as of 2020.

However, in some other countries, such as Sweden, there is no law specifically prohibiting the burning or desecration of the Quran or other religious texts. Sweden and many other Western countries do not have any blasphemy laws. They consider freedom of speech and expression to be a key pillar of democracy and human rights.

In India, there is no formal legislation against blasphemy. The closest equivalent to a blasphemy law is Section 295 (A) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which punishes any speech, writings, or signs that “with premeditated and malicious intent” insult citizens’ religion or religious beliefs. Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, India’s “blasphemy law” was enacted in 1927. It stated that deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs shall be punished.

In fact, different religions have different views on what blasphemy is and how it should be dealt with. Some religions have strict laws that punish blasphemy with harsh penalties, such as death, imprisonment or fines. For example, in Islam, blasphemy against the Quran or the Prophet Muhammad is considered a major sin that can lead to apostasy and incur the wrath of God and the Muslim community.

Other religions, such as Christianity and Judaism, also condemn blasphemy as a violation of God's name and honor, but may not have legal sanctions for it. However, some Christians and Jews may still regard blasphemy as a moral offence that can affect one's relationship with God and other believers.

Blasphemy of holy books can also have social and political implications, as it can trigger anger, resentment and violence among different religious groups. Blasphemy can be seen as a form of hate speech that incites hatred and discrimination against a particular faith or community. It can also be seen as a form of provocation or challenge that undermines the authority and legitimacy of a religion or its followers. Blasphemy can cause conflicts and tensions within and between societies, especially in contexts where religious diversity and pluralism are not well-established or respected.

Is insulting God or the holy book the only way to resolve the differences?,

No doubt, the burning of religious texts is a sensitive issue and can lead to protests and condemnation by various religious and political leaders. Such incidents of book burning or desecration are typically perpetrated by a small minority of individuals or groups, and do not reflect the views of the vast majority of people who respect the religious beliefs and practices of others.

Blasphemy is not the only way to express our differences. It is important to respect the beliefs and sentiments of others. There are many ways to express our differences in a respectful and peaceful manner. For example, we can have open and honest discussions, debates, and dialogues. We can also learn about each other's beliefs and cultures to better understand and appreciate our differences, even in global forums.

Many people around the world, regardless of their religious beliefs, revere the holy books of other religions and condemn any act of profanity or disrespect towards them.

People who burn holy books should be punished by law and also educated about the value and significance of these books for humanity. The Quran as a tribute to free speech, but many see it as a deliberate provocation and an insult to Muslims.