Iran: Information on the penalty for tearing a Koran
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRN22569.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iran: Information on the penalty for tearing a Koran, 1 January 1996, IRN22569.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ac494.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a representative of the Foundation for Iranian Studies in Bethesda, Maryland, tearing a Koran would be considered as insulting Islam by the Iranian authorities (4 Jan. 1996). The representative was not aware of any civil law specific to tearing a Koran. A person who has torn a Koran will face problems (ibid.). The representative was unable to specify what type of problems would be faced.
A professor of politics specializing in Iranian issues at the University of York in York, UK, confirmed that tearing a Koran would be considered as insulting Islam and the person who committed such act would face problems; the professor was unable to specify the likely type of problems (9 Jan. 1996). The professor was not aware of any civil law specific to tearing a Koran.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Foundation for Iranian Studies, Bethesda, Md. 4 January 1996. Telephone interview with representative.
Professor of politics specializing in Iranian issues, University of York, York, UK. 9 January 1996. Telephone interview.