No more foreign money for mosques in Denmark

The government wants to cut the funding from abroad that goes to Muslim bodies in Denmark

Stephen Gadd

A new law proposal from the government and Dansk Folkeparti would make it illegal for foreign governments and authorities to give money to religious bodies in Denmark.

The law would come into play if it is decided that the purpose of the donation is to undermine the fundamental rights of freedom and democracy in Denmark, reports Kristeligt Dagblad.

A major investment
In the past, countries such as Turkey and Qatar have donated money to both religious bodies and mosques. The law will focus on loans, loan guarantees, paying the rent for premises, donations of equipment and paying the wages of personnel.

READ ALSO: New mosque opening in Copenhagen today

Turkey has invested in mosques in Roskilde and Holbæk, and Qatar has donated an estimated 100 million kroner for the construction of a new mosque on Rovsingsgade.

Could backfire
However, experts fear that the move could provoke a backlash abroad.

“It is obvious that such a move could be seen as harassment in Turkey and yet another example of the religious inequality,” said Cecilie Felicia Stokholm Banke, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies.

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