A Burning Affair

Abstract

In this introduction we want to bring attention to and provide a contextualization and analysis of the last years burning of the Quran that have taken place and still takes place in the Nordic and Scandinavian context. Whilst many countries around the world still have blasphemy laws or laws against religious hatred that protect “religion” (however defined), or religious sensibilities from being desecrated or mocked, most Western countries, including Sweden, Denmark and Norway have removed blasphemy laws and made it possible to offer critique of religion, including the right to criticize religious texts. While this special issue primarily discusses the contemporary practice of public rituals where a physical copy of the Quran is burnt, we argue that understanding why this practice has become so widespread in the Nordic region requires a historical awareness of how blasphemy, as well as freedom of religion and freedom of expression have been understood and practiced in this very specific cultural and political environment of the far corners of Europe. Besides providing a historical background, the introduction includes an overview to how Muslims have discussed how to handle copies of the Quran that have been worn-out and why the intention is important for understanding the controversy around the burning of the Quran.

Keywords

• Rasmus Paludan, burning of the quran, blasphemy, freedom of expression, freedom of religion, Islam, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland