(Crankers) Denmark is taking a stand and protecting their identity.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said she wants to extend the 2018 ban on niqabs to schools and universities, as well as remove prayer rooms, citing concerns about social control and oppression. The nationwide ban on burkas and niqabs in public spaces hasn’t applied to educational institutions, but Frederiksen, who leads the Social Democrats, believes this was a mistake and demands limits on religious symbols and rituals in education.
She was quoted saying “you have the right to be a person of faith and practice your religion, but democracy takes precedence.”
In 2022, a government-formed commission suggested banning hijabs in primary schools to ensure that women from minority backgrounds could enjoy the same rights and freedoms as other Danish women. The proposal sparked backlash and protests at the time and was ultimately rejected in 2023.
The Danish Prime Minister argued that such rooms don’t promote inclusiveness but instead “create a breeding ground for discrimination and pressure.” While she isn’t calling for an outright ban, she said Education Minister Mattias Tesfaye and Higher Education Minister Christina Egelund will work with schools and universities to find a common solution and make it clear that prayer rooms don’t belong there. Frederiksen told the press that Danish society cannot be governed by religious conservatism.
The PM also said, “you’re welcome to have your religion, but when you’re at school, you’re there to be at school and take part in your education.”
