Egypt's Al-Azhar condemns Danish far-right for 'desecrating Holy Quran'

Egypt's highest religious institution has condemned a Danish far-right provocateur for desecrating the Quran - a "disgraceful act" that sparked violence in an immigrant neighbourhood in Copenhagen.

Al-Azhar's grand imam said the comment in a statement on Tuesday in the wake of unrest caused by Rasmus Paludan throwing Islam's holy book in the air several times during a demonstration over the weekend.

"I am shocked by this extremist minority that disturbs world peace and wants to create tensions between people from different faiths," the grand imam said.

He added that Paludan's "disgraceful actions have provoked many Muslims living in the city".

Danish police have said that 23 people have been detained on suspicion of being behind dozens of arson fires of cars and garbage containers in Noerrebro, an immigrant district in the Danish capital.

The unrest began after the rally by Paludan, who is a lawyer who cites freedom of speech rights as he stages anti-Muslim demonstrations across Denmark under heavy police protection.

Footage of the demonstration shows Paludan throwing the Quran into the air several times before a raging crowd forces police to evacuate the provocateur.

Danish police has since banned Paludan from holding two more demonstrations in Noerrebro.

Danish Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen called Paludan's demonstration "a meaningless provocation."