After Austria, This country proposes to ban burqas, niqabs, in schools and universities, states such coverings have no place in…

Denmark, a European country, has proposed legislation prohibiting the use of face coverings, including burqas and niqabs, within educational settings such as schools and universities. The country currently prohibits the use of full face coverings throughout public areas; therefore, it is applying the same rule to its educational institutions.

Which country has proposed this ban after Austria’s similar move?

In a statement, Denmark’s Minister for Immigration and Integration, Rasmus Stoklund, said, “Burqas, niqabs, or other clothing that hides people’s faces have no place in a Danish classroom.” “There is already a ban on face coverings in public spaces, and this should of course also apply in educational institutions,” Rasmus Stoklund further added, as reported by The Straits Times.

When is this proposed ban expected to come into effect?

In August 2018, the Danish government imposed a complete ban on full-face coverings in public spaces, including Burqa and niqab garments worn by Islamic women. As a result of violating this law, anyone caught would receive a fine. Furthermore, there are currently plans to expand on the initial restrictions placed on full-face coverings. The Bill is scheduled to be introduced to the Danish Parliament in February 2026.

According to human rights advocates and religious organizations, prohibiting individuals from wearing a face-covering when in public constitutes an act of discrimination against these groups and violates their right to practice their religion freely. In contrast, supporters of the ban assert that it will help individuals who are part of the Muslim immigrant community become more integrated into Danish society.

What exactly is the new proposal to ban burqas and niqabs in schools and universities?

“With this Bill, we are sending a very clear signal to girls and women from immigrant backgrounds in particular that we support them in their fight against honour culture and outdated norms,” Minister for Immigration and Integration Rasmus Stoklund stated, as per by The Straits Times.

In June, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen gave a speech, outlining her desire to extend the current bans against wearing face coverings in public and educational institutions. Additionally, she suggested that prayer rooms should be removed from schools and universities. Frederiksen admitted that imposing only a limited restriction on full-face veils in the country had been a mistake by her government.

“There are gaps in the legislation that allow Muslim social control and oppression of women at educational institutions in Denmark. You have the right to be a person of faith and practice your religion, but democracy takes precedence,” Frederiksen stated, Euro News reported. Another European nation, Austria, has passed a law prohibiting girls under the age of 14 from wearing headscarves in schools, with the legislation approved by the country’s parliament on December 11.