Hijabophobia Hits Denmark

Coming inches short of a law banning the burqu' or niqab, Denmark declared it would limit the use of the veils worn by Muslim women in public.

Stating the veils had "no place in Danish society," the centre-right government said it would not enact a general ban but would" allow" schools, public authorities and companies to put in place "their own restrictions".

"The government is determined to combat this view of humanity and women," read a statement from the office of Prime Minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen. It urged authorities to restrict the use of the veils "as much as possible." The statement also said it would present a bill shortly making it illegal, to force a woman to wear a burqu' or niqab and another bill requiring witnesses in courtrooms to lift their veil to identify themselves.

The government's planned legislation would make forcing a woman to wear a burka or niqab an offence punishable by up to four years in prison.

Even though Islam is Denmark's second-biggest religion behind the Evangelical Lutheran Church, with more than 200,000 Muslims in the Scandinavian country, anti-Islam activity is witnessed and highly championed by the country.