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| Europe |
| Denmark: Proposed headscarf ban divides religious figures |
| 2008-05-16 |
| (AKI) - A proposed ban on allowing judges to wear a Muslim headscarf or other religious symbols like a crucifix, turban or skullcap in court has provoked widespread debate in Denmark. Copenhagen bishop Erik Norman Svendsen says the country's parliament should not pass any legislation on the regulation of religious symbols or dress codes. According to the Danish daily, Berlingske Tidende, Svendsen said the courts should decide what judges should wear. The Muslim Council of Denmark and the Danish Muslim Union said they feared the proposed move would be extended to other professions like nurses, doctors and police officers. The proposal is backed by the Danish People's Party which supports prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's centre-right minority government. On Wednesday justice minister Lene Espersen said a bill was due later this year that would regulate what judges should wear. But in a dissenting view, the refugee, immigration and integration affairs minister Birthe Ronn Hornbech attacked the DPP proposal as "anti-Muslim". She said judges should themselves be allowed to decide what to wear. Jorgen Lougart, chairman of the association of Danish judges has questioned the government's plans, noting that religious dress was "not really an issue" because none of its members had recently converted to other religions. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 The established religion of Denmark is Lutheranism. State employees should be allowed to display the accoutrements of no religion other than Lutheranism. If they don't like that, then impose religious tests. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-05-16 10:37 |
| #2 I have a better idea. Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and Norse pagan symbols are fine. All Muslim symbols are banned. |
| Posted by: Excalibur 2008-05-16 10:25 |
| #1 I have a different idea. Since prostitution is legal in Denmark, just make it mandatory that all working prostitutes wear one. |
| Posted by: crosspatch 2008-05-16 00:44 |