6 days ago
- Lifestyle
- South China Morning Post
Denmark's ban on full-face veils to be extended to schools, universities, PM says
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Thursday her government planned to extend the ban on full-face Islamic veils in public places and apply it to schools and universities as well.
She also said she wanted to see an end to prayer rooms at universities but stopped short of calling for an outright ban.
'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.
In August 2018,
Denmark banned the wearing of full-face Islamic veils like the burka and niqab in public places, with offenders subject to a fine.
Human rights campaigners and religious groups have criticised the ban as discriminatory and as a violation of both freedom of religion and women's freedom of choice.
People protest in Copenhagen in 2018, as the new ban on garments covering the face is implemented. Photo: via AP
Supporters argue it enables Muslims of immigrant backgrounds to better integrate into Danish society.
