Seychelles

DENMARK’S parliament has adopted a law criminalising the “inappropriate treatment” of religious texts, effectively banning Qur’an burnings after a series of desecrations of Islam’s holy book sparked anger in Muslim countries over the summer.

The bill, which prohibits “inappropriate treatment of writings with significant religious importance for a recognised religious community”, was passed with 94 votes in favour and 77 opposed in the 179-seat Folketing.

“We must protect the security of Denmark and the Danes. Therefore, it is important that we now have better protection against the systematic insults we have seen for a long time,” Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said in a statement.

In practical terms, it will be forbidden to burn, tear or otherwise defile holy texts publicly or in videos intended to be disseminated widely. Those who break the law, which will be evaluated after three years, risk a fine or up to two years in prison. | AFP

THE number of people injured in the Seychelles due to a powerful blast at an explosives warehouse reached 178, the Seychelles News Agency reported, citing the health ministry.

The huge blast at the warehouse located in the Providence industrial area on the large island of Mahe on Thursday brought down buildings, prompting the country’s President Wavel Ramkalawan to declare a state of emergency for one day.

Yesterday, the government’s official Visit Seychelles account on social media platform X said the international airport and ferries between its islands remained operational for tourists.

The Seychelles, a major tourist destination, is made up of 115 islands and is the least populous country in Africa with about 100 000 people. |