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Image: Loredana Sangiuliano/SOPA/ZUMA/picture alliance Image: Loredana Sangiuliano/SOPA/ZUMA/picture alliance

Blasphemy

Blasphemy refers to an act that insults or shows disrespect to a religion or deity. Though blasphemy laws have been relaxed in parts of Europe, recent Quran desecrations have brought the issue to the fore once more.

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All Content on this topic

Members of the public stand in front of a photograph depicting French history and geography teacher Samuel Paty

Members of the public stand in front of a photograph depicting French history and geography teacher Samuel Paty

France: Trial starts over beheading of teacher Samuel Paty

Eight adults are standing trial for their alleged role in the 2020 assassination of the French history teacher.

Three Pakistani women wearing hijab sit on a floor in front of microphones

Three Pakistani women wearing hijab sit on a floor in front of microphones

Pakistan: Police blasphemy killings raise new concerns

Two separate cases of police killing men accused of blasphemy have put a new spotlight on Pakistan's blasphemy laws.

Bangladeshi Muslims staged protest against defaming and burning of the holy Quran in Sweden at Paltan in Dhaka, Bangladesh on July 07, 2023

Bangladeshi Muslims staged protest against defaming and burning of the holy Quran in Sweden at Paltan in Dhaka, Bangladesh on July 07, 2023

Sweden puts Quran burners on trial for hate crimes

Two men have been accused of "offenses of agitation against an ethnic or national group" for publicly burning Qurans.

Police in civilian clothes stand near burned out cars and other rubble left by a mob that attacked a local police station, obtained a man in custody there, and then killed him in public. Madyan, Pakistan, June 21, 2024.

Police in civilian clothes stand near burned out cars and other rubble left by a mob that attacked a local police station, obtained a man in custody there, and then killed him in public. Madyan, Pakistan, June 21, 2024.

Pakistan: Police arrest 23 after 'blasphemy' lynching

Police in northwestern Pakistan said they were still looking for more potential suspects after last Thursday's attack.

Plainclothes police officers stand next to the burned vehicles in Madyan in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on 21 June, 2024.

Plainclothes police officers stand next to the burned vehicles in Madyan in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on 21 June, 2024.

Pakistani 'blasphemy vigilante' mob kills man

A crowd of vigilantes in Pakistan killed and burned the body of a man whom they accused of desecrating the Quran.

Women in masks at a jail in Pakistan

Women in masks at a jail in Pakistan

Pakistan: Why are more women being imprisoned?

Accusations of blasphemy and limited economic opportunities are some of the reasons behind climbing numbers.

Shehrbano Naqvi, Pakistani police officer

Shehrbano Naqvi, Pakistani police officer

Pakistan: Officer Shehrbano Naqvi retells 'blasphemy' rescue

A video of a young woman surrounded by a mob and facing accusations of blasphemy prompted outrage in Pakistan.

Protests in Iraq against the burning of the Quran in Denmark

Protests in Iraq against the burning of the Quran in Denmark

Denmark parliament adopts bill prohibiting Quran burnings

The burning of the Islamic holy book in Denmark has stirred outrage in Muslim-majority nations.

Tribute to the teacher Samuel Paty at the highschool Theodore de Banville in 2020

Tribute to the teacher Samuel Paty at the highschool Theodore de Banville in 2020

Paty murder trial shines a light on France's democracy

A court case on the killing of a teacher in 2020 could provide answers to questions on freedom of expression.

A Palestinian man in walks through the destruction by Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on October 11, 2023

A Palestinian man in walks through the destruction by Israeli bombardment in Gaza City on October 11, 2023

'Humanitarian pause' would allow aid to get into Gaza

Sweden's foreign minister told DW that only a two-state solution will bring peace to Israelis and Palestinians.

A Christian man checks a home vandalized by angry Muslim mob in Jaranwala near Faisalabad, Pakistan

A Christian man checks a home vandalized by angry Muslim mob in Jaranwala near Faisalabad, Pakistan

Pakistan: What's fueling radicalization of young men?

Psychologists say they lack emotional maturity and are being taken advantage of by extremist groups.

An open copy of the Holy Quran

An open copy of the Holy Quran

Denmark to ban Quran burnings, says justice minister

Denmark's government has said it will ban the burning of holy texts, including the Quran, in public.

Police officials inspect a burnt Salvation Army church in Jaranwala on the outskirts of Faisalabad

Police officials inspect a burnt Salvation Army church in Jaranwala on the outskirts of Faisalabad

How Pakistan's blasphemy laws stir vigilante violence

Following the recent mob violence against Christian minorities, Pakistan's blasphemy laws have come under scrutiny.

Local residents look at the rubble of homes and church vandalized by an angry Muslim mob

Local residents look at the rubble of homes and church vandalized by an angry Muslim mob

Pakistan to compensate Christians after blasphemy riots

Pakistani authorities say they will compensate nearly 100 poor Christians who lost their homes to a Muslim mob.

Iranian demonstrators burn a Swedish flag, during a protest in Tehran over the burning of a Quran in Sweden

Iranian demonstrators burn a Swedish flag, during a protest in Tehran over the burning of a Quran in Sweden

Sweden raises terror threat level after Quran burnings

Terrorists consider the Scandinavian country a "prioritized target," its domestic security service warned.

Pakistan Jaranwala | Angriffe auf Kirchen

Pakistan Jaranwala | Angriffe auf Kirchen

Muslim mob in Pakistan accuses Christians of blasphemy

In Pakistan, a desecrated Quran allegedly found in a Christian area has sparked violence.

Paramilitary troops on patrol after an angry Muslim mob attacked a Christian area in Jaranwala

Paramilitary troops on patrol after an angry Muslim mob attacked a Christian area in Jaranwala

Pakistan troops quell riots amid claims of Quran desecration

The government deployed additional forces to the predominantly Christian area in response to the scale of the violence.

A police officer pours water into a burning house in a Christian neighborhood following an angry mob attack in Jaranwala

A police officer pours water into a burning house in a Christian neighborhood following an angry mob attack in Jaranwala

Pakistan: Mob attacks churches over alleged blasphemy

A crowd attacked a Christian district in eastern Pakistan, vandalizing churches and setting fire to scores of houses.

Malaysia Protest against Quran burning in the Netherlands

Malaysia Protest against Quran burning in the Netherlands

EU image suffers in Malaysia, Indonesia over Quran burning

The EU's attempts to bolster free speech in parts of Asia have taken another setback over Quran desecration in the bloc.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (r) holds a Quran to his chest during a visit to the Juma Mosque in Derbent, Dagestan as three other men look on

Russian President Vladimir Putin (r) holds a Quran to his chest during a visit to the Juma Mosque in Derbent, Dagestan as three other men look on

Sweden Quran burnings: How the Kremlin benefits

The Swedish government is dealing with increased terrorist threats sparked by repeated Quran burnings.

Bangladesch Protest gegen die Diffamierung und Verbrennung des Heiligen Korans in Schweden

Bangladesch Protest gegen die Diffamierung und Verbrennung des Heiligen Korans in Schweden

Russia proves adept at exploiting Quran burnings in Sweden

A spate of Quran burnings has put the Swedish government in a difficult position, which Russia is eager to exploit.

People demonstrate against the desecration of the Koran in Denmark, in Sanaa, Yemen July 24, 2023.

People demonstrate against the desecration of the Koran in Denmark, in Sanaa, Yemen July 24, 2023.

Denmark studying 'legal' options to stop Quran burnings

The Danish foreign minister such desecration of the Muslims' holy book could have "significant negative consequences."

A mob of angry Muslims set fire to the Swedish embassy in Iraq as one masked individual holds up a Quran

A mob of angry Muslims set fire to the Swedish embassy in Iraq as one masked individual holds up a Quran

Sweden: Quran burning protests leave PM 'very concerned'

Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson says new Quran burnings would amplify the "obvious risk that serious things could happen."

A Quran held in the air

A Quran held in the air

Denmark: Quran burned at Iraqi embassy in Copenhagen

A small group of protesters again set fire to Islam's holy book in front of the Iraqi embassy in the Danish capital.

Hundreds of people gathered near Baghdad's Green Zone

Hundreds of people gathered near Baghdad's Green Zone

Iraq: Anger erupts over reported Quran burning in Copenhagen

Hundreds of protesters tried to storm Baghdad's Green Zone following reports of a Quran burning in Denmark.

A casually dressed young man standing in front of an orange building, holding a Quran aloft and speaking into a megaphone. Another man carrying two Swedish flags stands in front of him, filming.

A casually dressed young man standing in front of an orange building, holding a Quran aloft and speaking into a megaphone. Another man carrying two Swedish flags stands in front of him, filming.

Quran burning: How much blasphemy is allowed in Europe?

Freedom of expression is seen as a key pillar of democracy. But to what extent is it acceptable in Europe to mock God?

Protest in Lahore, Pakistan, against the Quran burning

Protest in Lahore, Pakistan, against the Quran burning

The Quran-burning protester in Sweden and his complex past

The motives of Salwan Momika, the Iraqi who burned a Quran during a Stockholm protest, are being questioned.

Swedish flag on the ground in Pakistan during a protest to denounce the desecration of Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm

Swedish flag on the ground in Pakistan during a protest to denounce the desecration of Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm

Quran desecration: Sweden faces diplomatic backlash

Protests in Stockholm involving the Quran have triggered a diplomatic crisis between Sweden and several Islamic nations.

Police deploy a water cannon amid protests near the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, after it was stormed before an expected Quran burning in Stockholm

Police deploy a water cannon amid protests near the Swedish embassy in Baghdad, after it was stormed before an expected Quran burning in Stockholm

Iraq expels Swedish ambassador over planned Quran burning

Earlier, Iraqis stormed Sweden's embassy in Baghdad.

Pakistan: Young girls holding Qurans and signs at an anti-Sweden demonstration in Islamabad

Pakistan: Young girls holding Qurans and signs at an anti-Sweden demonstration in Islamabad

UN rights council condemns Quran-burning incidents

The UNHRC voted to condemn Quran burnings and religious hatred following a debate held at Pakistan's request.

Iranians burn a Swedish flag during a demo in Tehran

Iranians burn a Swedish flag during a demo in Tehran

Quran burning: Iran delays Sweden ambassador appointment

Iran says it will delay appointing a new Swedish ambassador after a Quran burning in Stockholm.

An Iraqi man holds up a copy of the Quran and a megaphone, while standing behind a police cordon, in Stockholm. June 28, 2023.

An Iraqi man holds up a copy of the Quran and a megaphone, while standing behind a police cordon, in Stockholm. June 28, 2023.

Sweden: Muslim countries denounce Iraqi man's Quran burning

A series of Islamic countries have criticized the burning of pages of the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm.

A noose is seen at a rally against the executions of protesters Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini by the Islamic regime in Iran.

A noose is seen at a rally against the executions of protesters Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini by the Islamic regime in Iran.

Iran executes 2 over blasphemy charges

The two defendants were found guilty of conducting online activities insulting Islam.

Supporters of a religious group "Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan" chant slogans during a rally against a woman who was recently arrested on blasphemy charges, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, April 17, 2023.

Supporters of a religious group "Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan" chant slogans during a rally against a woman who was recently arrested on blasphemy charges, in Lahore, Pakistan, Monday, April 17, 2023.

Pakistan mob lynches demonstrator over alleged blasphemy

The angry mob attacked the demonstrator with batons after he delivered a speech deemed blasphemous.

An satellite photo of the Dasu Dam

An satellite photo of the Dasu Dam

Chinese man charged with blasphemy in Pakistan

Hundreds of angry workers stormed a Pakistani police station looking for a Chinese man who is facing blasphemy charges.

Swedish police and police cars in Malmo

Swedish police and police cars in Malmo

Sweden arrests terrorism suspects after Quran burning outcry

Swedish intelligence said the five suspects were linked to protests that erupted following a Quran burning in Stockholm.

Protestors raise the Quran during the demonstration against the Quran Burning In Sweden

Protestors raise the Quran during the demonstration against the Quran Burning In Sweden

Sweden issues rare ban over Quran burning rally

An anti-NATO rally in Stockholm that would have included the burning of a Quran has not been allowed to go ahead.

Pakistan blocks Wikipedia over 'sacrilegious' content

Pakistani authorities have banned the online encyclopedia Wikipedia for not removing content they call blasphemous.

Men hold signs with fists on them

Men hold signs with fists on them

Indonesia's criminal code bans more than premarital sex

A newly passed criminal code will make it illegal to criticize the government, while curtailing civil liberties.

Supporters of the banned Islamist political party Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) chant slogans against France during a protest rally in 2021

Supporters of the banned Islamist political party Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) chant slogans against France during a protest rally in 2021

Pakistan: Activists sound alarm over hate crimes

Many in Pakistan believe state inaction is paving the way for the rise of hate crimes and blasphemy accusations.

Protesters shout and hold signs

Protesters shout and hold signs

India's BJP under fire for blasphemy protest crackdown

BJP officials are being criticized for a heavy-handed response to violent protests by Indian Muslims.

Motor bike riders drive past Kofar Kade, a city gate in ancient Sokoto.

Motor bike riders drive past Kofar Kade, a city gate in ancient Sokoto.

Protests erupt in Nigerian city after blasphemy killing

A Christian student accused of blasphemy was killed by Muslim students in Sokoto, triggering protests and a curfew.

Imran Khan during a rally Lahore

Imran Khan during a rally Lahore

Critics warn over blasphemy case against Imran Khan

Critics slam the Pakistani government’s move to file blasphemy charges against ex-PM Imran Khan and his party leaders.

A woman's hand holds a picture of Muhammad Mubarak Bala

A woman's hand holds a picture of Muhammad Mubarak Bala

Nigeria sentences atheist to 24 years for blasphemy

Activists in the country called the sentence, "a sad day for human rights in Nigeria."

A person holds a copy of the Quran

A person holds a copy of the Quran

Pakistan: Mob kills man over alleged Quran burning

Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the killing of a man by a mob of about 300 people in the country's east.

'WhatsApp blasphemy' case reinforces dangerous trend

A Pakistani woman was sentenced to death this week after being convicted of sending a "blasphemous" text via WhatsApp.

Taped-off crime scene next to a road in Sialkot

Taped-off crime scene next to a road in Sialkot

Pakistan: Mob lynches Sri Lankan over alleged blasphemy

A Sri Lankan factory employee was beaten to death and set on fire by an angry mob in Pakistan's Punjab province.

Activists accuse PM Khan of 'Islamizing' Pakistan

Activists accuse PM Khan of 'Islamizing' Pakistan

Pakistan: New religious body draws ire from rights activists

Pakistan is setting up a new religious body as part of efforts to push for an "Islamic welfare state."

Men in front of a newly built model mosque in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka

Men in front of a newly built model mosque in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka

Bangladesh arrests man over dance video at mosque

Police say the man was arrested Sunday near Dhaka, but his female dance partner is on the run.

A street vendor waits for customers next to a damaged main door of a Hindu temple

A street vendor waits for customers next to a damaged main door of a Hindu temple

Pakistan orders probe into Hindu temple vandalism

Police said a mob stormed a Ganesh temple after the release of an 8-year-old Hindu boy accused of blasphemy.