The Danish discussion about a ban on headscarves

The Danish government plans to introduce a draft law baning judges from wearing religious symbols like headscarves. The Danish daily Berlingske Tidende agrees in principle, but stresses: "The headscarf is a ... visible symbol of how Europe's character has changed over the past few years. With the headscarf several religious and political symbols have entered the public arena, but in a democratic society there are certain fundamental freedoms. One of them is the freedom to choose how you dress. We should not try to change this. ... This is why the proposal of the Danish People's Party [for an even farther-reaching ban on headscarves] is far removed from the idea of Danish openness. It is therefore a good thing that the government has made it clear that no further legislation is necessary in this area. Meanwhile, we must pray that we are able to win back our Danish openness in the debate about neo-Danes with a Muslim background."

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