Quran desecration

rdf:langString Quran desecration

rdf:langString Quran desecration is the treatment of the Quran, in its original Arabic form, in a way that might be considered disrespectful or insulting. Respect for the Quran as a holy book, as in other faiths, is an important element of religious faith in Islam, and most muslims always treat the printed book with reverence and perform wudu, or ritual washing, before touching the work. Conversely, intentionally defiling or defacing copies the book is regarded by Muslims as blasphemous. The disposal of worn copies is also of concern to Muslims. Because the Quran contains no specifics on how to dispose of a worn or defective text, different and conflicting methods of disposal have been adopted in different regions by different sects. According to Islamic historian Michael Cook the Quran should be wrapped in cloth and buried on holy ground where it is unlikely to be trampled on or "safely" placed where it is unlikely to come into contact with impurity. Burning, when carried out respectfully, is also considered acceptable, and Saudi Arabia, for instance, destroys Qurans that fall short of state standards by burning to avoid soiling the pages. Intentionally desecrating a copy of the Quran is punishable by imprisonment in some countries and could lead to a death sentence in Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia and Pakistan, or up to life imprisonment in Pakistan, according to Article 295-B of the Penal Code.