Danish government plans to remove leader of Islamic organisation from citizenship bill

Danish government plans to remove leader of Islamic organisation from citizenship bill
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Denmark’s government seeks to exclude a prominent Muslim leader from a citizenship bill that would otherwise grant him Danish nationality, The Local reported.

Immigration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek confirmed that a senior member of the Islamic organisation Minhaj-ul-Quran, Hafiz Muhammad Idrees, will be removed from the parliamentary bill to allow further investigation. Idrees, who has Pakistani roots, leads the Danish branch of Minhaj-ul-Quran, an international movement known for its moderate and non-violent approach.

Although Idrees meets the objective criteria for Danish citizenship, the government’s decision to exclude him is unusual. Citizenship in Denmark is granted through legal naturalisation, requiring parliamentary approval of applicants who meet set criteria. These citizenship bills are voted on twice a year, in April and October.

Bek emphasized that Danish citizenship represents a significant trust from society and stated that individuals with anti-democratic views should not be granted citizenship. Idrees has faced criticism, particularly from right-wing parties like the Danish People’s Party, for promoting books that support theocratic and Islamist ideology.

This case is part of a broader debate on citizenship procedures, which may lead to increased scrutiny of applicants’ personal views. In late 2024, three individuals were interviewed over social media posts during the citizenship approval process, a move that sparked controversy and raised human rights concerns. The Immigration Ministry is now considering adding a screening step to assess applicants’ personal views.