Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Thursday that her government intends to expand the existing ban on full-face Islamic veils, such as burqas and niqabs, to include schools and universities. The ban, which has been in place in public spaces since 2018, imposes fines on those who violate it.
Frederiksen also expressed opposition to prayer rooms in universities, suggesting they could enable “social control and oppression,” though she stopped short of proposing an outright ban.
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“God has to step aside. You have the right to your faith and to practice your religion, but democracy takes precedence,” she told Danish news agency Ritzau.
The 2018 ban has faced criticism from human rights and religious groups, who argue it discriminates against Muslims and restricts religious freedom and women’s autonomy. However, supporters claim it helps immigrants integrate into Danish society.
Frederiksen stated that her government would begin discussions with universities to remove prayer rooms, asserting they are used as “a mechanism of oppression against girls and potentially boys as well.” While acknowledging uncertainty about how widespread the issue is, she emphasized, “For me, it’s not just the scale that matters. I’m the prime minister of Denmark. I’m also a woman. And I can’t tolerate the oppression of women.”
The proposed measures are expected to spark further debate over religious freedom and integration policies in Denmark.
