A 47-year-old man was arrested in Manchester for burning a Koran near the Manchester arena bombing memorial, leading to accusations of enforcing Sharia law by the police. The man’s actions caused distress to a Muslim bystander who tried to intervene, and the police named the man after initially expressing concern over the incident. The National Secular Society and Christian Concern criticized the police’s handling of the case, warning against the reintroduction of blasphemy laws.
The man who burned the Koran pleaded guilty to a racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment charge, citing his daughter’s death in the Israeli conflict as a factor in his actions. The judge acknowledged the distress caused by the man’s actions and bailed him with conditions, sentencing him on April 29. The Free Speech Union expressed concern over the man’s safety due to the public naming by the police and the potential threat of mob violence.
The incident has sparked a debate over freedom of expression and the balance between personal religious sensitivities and collective human rights. Critics argue that laws should not be used to punish individuals for offending religious feelings, while others warn against the dangers faced by those accused of blasphemy. The police defended their actions, stating that they will take action when intimidation or harm is reported.
