Denmark on Friday said it plans to ban the desecration of the Holy Quran after a string of desecrations of Islam’s holy book in the Scandinavian nation sparked anger in Muslim countries.

The government will present a bill that will “prohibit the inappropriate treatment of objects of significant religious importance to a religious community,” Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard told reporters.

He said the legislation was aimed especially at burnings and desecrations in public places.

Hummelgaard said Quran desecration were a “fundamentally contemptuous and unsympathetic act” that “harm Denmark and its interests”.

The new legislation would be included in chapter 12 of Denmark’s penal code, which covers national security.

Hummelgaard said that national security was the main “motivation” for the ban.

“We can’t continue to stand by with our arms crossed while several individuals do everything they can to provoke violent reactions,” he said.

The legislation will also apply to desecrations of the Bible, the Torah or, for example, a crucifix.

Those who break the law risk a fine and two years in prison.

Reacting to the announcement, Sweden’s Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer said the Danish government made the right decision.

Addressing a press conference, he called the announcement an important decision to propose a ban on Quran desecration in public places.

Strömmer went on to add that the Swedish government will soon come to a decision regarding such acts.