The Danish government has revived efforts to ban the Islamic call to prayer, known as the Adhan, with officials arguing that public broadcasts of the practice have no place in the country’s public space.
Denmark’s Immigration and Integration Minister, Morten Bødskov, announced that the government would reopen an investigation into whether the call to prayer can be restricted or outlawed nationwide. The move marks the third attempt by Danish authorities to establish a legal framework for a ban after similar efforts in 2020 and 2025 failed to produce legislation.
Speaking to Ritzau news agency, Bødskov said the call to prayer should not be heard across Danish communities, arguing that the country must guard against what he described as growing “Islamisation” in public spaces.
The Adhan is traditionally broadcast five times daily to summon Muslims to prayer, often through loudspeakers attached to mosques and minarets. While only a limited number of mosques in Denmark are believed to publicly broadcast the call to prayer, the issue has remained a subject of political debate in recent years.
Parts of the country already impose restrictions on such broadcasts. In Copenhagen, strict local noise regulations effectively prevent mosques from using loudspeakers for public calls to prayer, while some Islamic centres have voluntarily refrained from outdoor broadcasts.
Government officials will now examine whether a nationwide ban can be introduced without violating constitutional protections for religious freedom. Denmark’s constitution guarantees the right to public worship, meaning any attempt to prohibit the practice could face legal scrutiny.
Supporters of the proposal argue that a national policy would provide clarity and protect Denmark’s secular character. Critics, however, contend that the move could disproportionately target a religious minority and raise concerns about freedom of religion and expression.
The renewed debate comes as Denmark continues to pursue some of Europe’s strictest immigration and integration policies under the government led by Mette Frederiksen.
