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Fact check: How has the Muslim community in Denmark responded to the burqa ban?

Checked on August 6, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, the Muslim community in Denmark has responded to the burqa ban with opposition and protests. When the ban was introduced in 2018, there were public protests against the burqa ban from the Muslim community and other supporters [1]. The response has been consistently negative, with human rights campaigners and religious groups criticizing the existing ban as discriminatory and a violation of freedom of religion and women's freedom of choice [1].

The opposition has continued over time, as evidenced by the fact that a similar ban proposal in 2022 sparked a backlash and protests in Denmark [2]. The Muslim community appears to view the ban as targeting their religious practices, particularly affecting Muslim women who choose to wear the niqab or burqa [3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important pieces of context missing from the original question:

  • Government justification: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has framed the ban extension as addressing 'Muslim social control' and stated that 'democracy takes priority' over religious practices [2] [4], suggesting the government views this as a secular democratic principle rather than religious discrimination.
  • Broader impact beyond community response: The ban is criticized for forcing Muslim women out of public life rather than helping them [5], indicating the policy may have counterproductive effects on integration.
  • Ongoing expansion: The ban is not static - there are planned extensions to schools and universities [6] [2], showing this remains an active political issue rather than a settled matter.
  • International perspective: The policy has attracted criticism from human rights organizations beyond just the Muslim community [3], suggesting broader international concern about religious freedom violations.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation, as it simply asks about community response. However, the question's framing could benefit from acknowledging that:

  • The response involves multiple stakeholders beyond just the Muslim community, including human rights groups and religious organizations more broadly [1]
  • The issue is ongoing and evolving, with new extensions being proposed rather than being a historical matter with a settled response [6] [2]
  • The government frames this as a democratic principle rather than religious targeting, which provides important context for understanding the nature of the debate [4]
Want to dive deeper?
What are the specific provisions of Denmark's burqa ban law?
How has the Danish government enforced the burqa ban since its implementation?
What have been the economic and social impacts on Muslim women in Denmark since the ban?
Have there been any notable court challenges to the burqa ban in Denmark?
How does Denmark's burqa ban compare to similar laws in other European countries?