Islamophobic politician Rasmus Paludan sets fire to Muslim holy book Quran in front of Copenhagen mosque

In yet another provocative act on Friday, far-right Danish politician Rasmus Paludan burned a copy of the Muslim holy book of Quran in front of a mosque in Denmark. The incident took place days after Paludan, the leader of the Danish far-right party Stram Kurs (Hard Line), burned a copy of the Quran outside the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm on Saturday under police protection and with permission from the authorities. He took his place in front of the mosque belonging to the Islamic Society after Friday prayers in the Dortheavej district of Copenhagen. The far-right politician burned the Quran with a helmet on his head at an area right in front of a gas station, which the police cordoned off. Paludan, staring at the Muslims leaving the mosque following Friday prayers, tried to catch their attention by waving a material insulting Islam's Prophet Muhammad. The mosque community kept its head right the provocateur. The notables of the congregation advised those coming out of the mosque to leave the area to avoid the provocation. The Danish police closed the street for entrances and exits while it took strict security measures around the mosque. During Paludan's provocation, takbirs of tashriq prayers were recited through loudspeakers which could be heard outside the mosque. Khalid al-Subeyhi, a Palestinian mosque volunteer, told Anadolu that they are used to this situation, which is not the first time they experienced it. He said Paludan has carried out provocative acts in front of many mosques in Denmark for more than two years. 'Our message to him is: 'Don't do this, this is not freedom of expression. This is a provocation for the Danish Muslim minority',' he urged. The Muslim community is cautious against such provocations, al-Subeyhi said. 'He (Paludan) is a sick man. He wants to provoke Muslims to draw attention.' Sedat Guzel, a Turkish citizen who came to the scene to see the incident, said, '99% of Danish citizens are against Paludan's provocations.' Paludan announced on his social media account on Thursday that he would burn a copy of the Quran in front of a mosque in Denmark, as well as Turkish and Russian embassies, and the Danish authorities gave him permission. Attacks against the Quran in Sweden and the Netherlands are protested in Türkiye and many countries.