After repeated Quran burning demonstrations in Denmark, the government (comprised of the Social Democratic Party, the Liberal Party, and the Moderate Party) resolved to intervene legally to prevent Quran burning in front of embassies. This prompted both right-wing and left-wing parties (i.e., the blue and red parties) to unite against the government, launching a strongly worded attack against it. They opposed the government's idea of preventing Quran burning in front of embassies, arguing that it restricts freedom of expression and democracy in Denmark. It is worth noting that only one party has not yet determined its position, the Radical Party, as an official in the party stated that the Radical Party will decide its position after the government presents the proposal and examines its details.
Survey results
In this regard, according to TV2, a recent poll conducted by Megafon, which concluded on August 10 and whose results have just been published, found that 51% Danes support a ban on burning the Quran, while 39% oppose it. The poll included 1008 Danes.
The survey showed that most Danes agree with the government on the need to ban the burning of the Quran in order to avoid ridicule of the country and other cultures and religions.
The majority support the government, but they disagree about its true intentions and reasons.
However, when it comes to the argument for banning the burning of Qur’ans in front of embassies, Danes have less confidence in the government, with 64% of Danes believing that the government wants to ban Qur’an burning largely for security reasons, namely reducing the risk of terrorist attacks in Denmark.
63% believes the government wants to impose a ban for economic reasons, i.e., to protect Danish companies' trade with their exports abroad, while only 38% believes it is to avoid offending people from other countries, cultures and religions, which is the pretext the government gave when announcing its intention to intervene legally to stop the burning of the Quran in front of foreign embassies in Denmark.
Thus, the poll, according to TV2, shows that although a small majority believe it is right to ban the burning of the Quran in front of embassies, many believe that the government’s real intention behind the ban is of a security and economic nature.
Strong support for very broad freedom of expression
The Megafon poll also shows that a very large majority of Danes, 84%, believe that “it is important to live in a society where everyone has freedom of expression, including those with unpleasant and extreme views,” but when it comes to the question of “Denmark should ban the burning of the Quran to avoid ridiculing other countries, cultures and religions” or “allow the burning of the Quran because of freedom of expression” – Danes are divided on this point.
Thus, 54% of survey participants agree with the first statement, while only 39% agree that Denmark should allow the burning of holy books because of freedom of expression. An equal percentage of 8% agree with both statements, according to the source.
