What's happening?

A man stood on a street in StockholmStockholm is the capital of Sweden, a country in northern Europe. It is Sweden's largest city. It is also the country's center of culture, education, and business. Stockholm is known for its natural beauty., Sweden. He was holding a book that is hugely important to MuslimsPeople who follow the religion of Islam. all around the world. Then he set it on fire.

Two men stood outside the embassyThe workplace of a group of government officials who represent their country in another country. of IraqA country in the Middle East with a population of 43.5m. in Copenhagen, Denmark. They were holding the same book. And then they set it on fire.

The book in question is called the QuranThe holy book of Islam, whose words are believed by Muslims to have been passed directly from God to the Prophet Muhammad in a series of visions spanning 23 years.. Muslims believe that the Quran is the word of AllahA term used for the only God in Islam. - and so it is sacredConnected to God or another religious deity and so deserving of respect.. Showing a lackNot enough. of respect to the Quran, they argue, is the same as showing a lack of respect to Allah, or IslamA religion centred around the Quran. Followers of Islam are called Muslims. .

The burning of the Quran in Sweden and Denmark has made many Muslims around the world very angry. Some protesters even set fire to Sweden's embassy in Iraq.

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Sweden and Denmark allowed the men to burn the Quran because, unlike some countries, they do not have laws against blasphemySpeaking with contempt or disrespect about a religious deity or sacred person. Blasphemy laws were abolished in the UK in 2008.  - or insulting religious beliefs.

Many think it is extremely important that people should be allowed to do and say as they think - even if it offendsCauses someone to feel angry, upset, insulted or annoyed. other people.

Freedom of speech is a key part of living in a free and open world. But others argue that freedom of speech should not include freedom to offend other people.

Yes! Almost every idea is going to offend someone somewhere in the world. But we should be able to say and show how we feel without worrying about how others might react.

No! Offending people is not the right way to criticise them. We should focus not on the "right to offend", but our dutyResponsibility. to be respectful to other people.