Copenhagen: Denmark's coalition government has unveiled a proposal to ban the public broadcasting of the Islamic call to prayer, or Azaan, through loudspeakers across the country.
Immigration and Integration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek said the government believes Denmark should maintain its own cultural identity and avoid social changes that, in its view, could alter the country's traditional character. He remarked that Danish towns should not resemble "a suburb of Islamabad," a statement that has drawn widespread attention.
According to the proposal, mosques would still be allowed to conduct prayers inside their premises, but the use of loudspeakers for broadcasting the Azaan in public would not be permitted.
The government has presented the measure as part of its broader immigration and integration policy. Officials argue that the proposal is intended to strengthen social cohesion and reinforce shared national values.
The announcement has triggered political and public debate. Supporters say the move protects Denmark's cultural traditions, while critics argue that it could restrict religious expression and disproportionately affect the country's Muslim community.
If approved by Parliament, the proposal would become part of Denmark's existing regulations governing public sound broadcasts and religious practices.
