Template:QuranRelated The term "Quran desecration" is defined as insulting the Quran by defiling or defacing copies. Intentionally insulting the Quran is regarded as blasphemous.

Most traditional schools of Islamic law require wudu (ritual handwashing; also spelled wazoo) before a Muslim may touch the Quran, which is regarded as the literal word of God in its original Arabic form. Muslims must always treat the printed book with reverence, and are forbidden, for instance, to pulp, recycle, or otherwise discard worn-out copies of the text; instead, burning or burying the worn-out copies in a respectful manner is required. ^[1] Respect for the written text of the Quran is an important element of religious faith in Islam. Desecrating a copy of the Quran is punishable by imprisonment in some countries (life imprisonment in Pakistan, according to Article 295-B of the Penal Code) and has been punishable by death in Afghanistan, Somalia and Pakistan.^[2][3]

In mid-2005, allegations of deliberate desecration of the Quran^[2] in front of Muslim prisoners at the United States military Guantanamo Bay detention camp, Cuba fueled a widespread controversy and were blamed for deadly Muslim riots. A US military investigation confirmed four instances of Quran desecration by US personnel (two of which were described as "unintentional"), and fifteen instances of desecration by Muslim prisoners. ^[4] According to CBC News, "The statement did not provide any explanation about why the detainees might have abused their own holy books." ^[5]

In May 2005 a report in Newsweek, claiming that U.S. interrogators desecrated the Quran at the Guantanamo Bay base, led to deadly Muslim protests sparked by the article.^[2]

In 2007 Nigerian Christian teacher Christianah Oluwatoyin Oluwasesin was stabbed to death after allegations she had desecrated a Qu'ran.^[6]

In 2010 Christian pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center, a church in Gainesville, Florida, provoked international condemnation after announcing plans to burn a Qu'ran on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks by Islamic terrorists on the USA.^[7] He later cancelled the plans; ^[8] however, on March 20, 2011, he oversaw the burning of a Quran. In response, Muslims in Afghanistan rioted; 12 people were killed.^[9]

In February 2012 protests broke out in various parts of Afghanistan over the improper disposal of Korans at the US military Bagram Air Base, for which the US apologized.^[10] Protesters shouted "Death to America" and burned US flags. At least 30 people have been killed, including 4 U.S. soldiers after members of ANSF (Afghan National Security Forces) turned their weapons on them. Hundreds of people have been wounded.^[11][12][13]

Saudi Arabia destroys Qurans of pilgrims that fall short of state standards.^[14]

• Flag desecration

• Afghan protest over 'burnt Koran', BBC, 25 October 2009.