Denmark’s government is preparing legislation to prohibit the public broadcasting of the Islamic call to prayer, arguing the practice has no place in the country.
Read more Postmaster General: USPS Could Withhold Mail Ballots From States That Refuse to Share Voter Data
Immigration Minister Morten Bødskov of the center-left Social Democrats is leading the effort to end public broadcasts of the adhan from mosques and minarets.
“The call to prayer should not be heard over Danish rooftops. It has no place in Denmark, and you shouldn’t be in any doubt whether you’ve ended up in a suburb of Islamabad when you walk around Denmark,” Bødskov told multiple news outlets.
The proposal is the third time a Social Democratic minister has sought to prohibit public broadcasts of the Islamic call to prayer, following similar efforts in 2020 and 2025.
The adhan, which is traditionally performed five times each day, is already subject to restrictions in some municipalities, including Copenhagen, where local noise regulations limit public broadcasts.
Read more Morning Greatness: Trump to Deliver Remarks at the Faith & Freedom Coalition
According to The Daily Telegraph, the proposal could face significant legal obstacles because freedom of religion is protected under Danish law.
The report noted that Danish authorities have previously imposed restrictions in limited circumstances, including bans on anti-democratic preaching and financial support from prohibited organizations.
Other European countries have adopted narrower approaches. Germany and Britain limit when mosques may broadcast the call to prayer and impose volume restrictions intended to minimize disruption to surrounding communities. France has also seen public opposition to the practice.
It remains unclear when the Danish government will formally introduce legislation or whether the proposal can overcome the legal challenges expected under the country’s protections for religious freedom.
Read more Embracing Masculinity: Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month
