CAIRO: Egypt welcomed Denmark’s banning of the desecration of religious texts following a series of Qur’an burnings in the country.

The legislation, which passed on Dec. 7 after months of parliamentary debate, aims to confront the burning of religious books, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Egypt expressed its hope that the law would promote tolerance and moderation.

Qur’an burnings impede efforts to promote a culture of civilizational dialogue between countries based on cultural diversity, the ministry added.

Egypt also reiterated its condemnation of insults to any belief and religion, adding that freedom of opinion must be upheld.

It called on other European countries to follow Denmark’s example, according to a ministry statement.

The Danish law criminalizes the inappropriate treatment of writings with significant importance for recognized religious communities, according to media reports.

In July 2023, Egypt summoned Denmark’s ambassador over the Qur’an burning incidents. It came after five anti-Islam activists set fire to a Qur’an in front of the Egyptian embassy in Copenhagen.

At the time, Egypt called on Denmark and other countries that have witnessed similar events to “take concrete actions to stop these unfortunate incidents once and for all.”

In August 2023, Mohammed Mokhtar Gomaa, Egypt’s minister of religious endowments, denounced the Qur’an burnings in Denmark and neighboring Sweden.

He called on both countries to take swift action “to prevent these abuses and amend any laws that support and encourage religious hatred and allow offense to the religious sanctities of all religions.”