National News in Brief: Muslim politician confronts hate mail sender

In other news, a landmark case goes against the handicapped, Monday looks set to be a mean one in the skies, and some surprising sports gear is found in west Zealand

A BBC video featuring Özlem Cekic confronting a member of the Danish public who sent her hate mail is rapidly going viral with 2 million views and counting. The Muslim politician, an MP for Socialistisk Folkeparti from 2007-15, regularly travels across the country to meet her critics face-to-face to discuss their Islamophobic stance. She calls the meetings ‘dialogkaffe’ and she often meets the perpetrator more than once. In this case, she met Stefan who had told her he “hated everything she stood for” and that she should go home, calling her a monkey and nasty vermin. And he didn’t really let up when they met for 90 minutes, reducing her to tears despite the cameras.

READ MORE: Özlem and our work ethic

Court rules handicapped can’t vote in general election
In a landmark ruling, four handicapped people have failed with a courtroom bid to overturn legislation that prohibits them from voting in the General Election because a guardian handles their financial matters. Had the Eastern High Court approved the lawsuit against the state, it is believed a further 2,000 similarly affected people stood to benefit. Last year, Parliament passed a bill that guaranteed their right to vote in municipal, regional and European Parliament elections, but not parliamentary ones.

Venomous weather heading our way today
Monday afternoon will see the worst of this week’s weather with isolated thunderstorms and hail hitting random parts of the country hard. A front passing over from the east will be quite venomous. “If you’re windsurfing, you might be happy,” DMI told Ekstra Bladet. However, things will slowly improve over the rest of the week, according to the national forecaster. “Thursday should be sunny and with hardly any wind,” it predicts.

Surprising gear found in sports hall equipment locker
Three men stand accused of dealing drugs in west Zealand. Searches carried out by South Zealand and Lolland-Falster Police uncovered 17 kilos of speed, seven kilos of cocaine and two guns along with a silencer, which along with most of the cocaine was hidden in a sports hall equipment locker in Sørbymagle. The court case begins in Næstved in early August.




  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Here Comes The Sun…

    Here Comes The Sun…

    I escaped from Denmark this winter to the south of France, where I was convinced that the sunshine would inspire me to write this year’s Crazy Christmas comedy show.

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.