Danish PM and Singer Clash Online Over Niqab and Feminism

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has entered into a public online discussion with singer Isam B, known from the music group Outlandish, over the wearing of the niqab. The debate, unfolding on social media, was sparked by Isam B's statement in an interview that wearing a niqab could be a feminist act, which he likened to a ninja costume.

“

It is a mockery of those who fight an unfair battle every day when one calls the niqab a ninja.

Frederiksen responded with a lengthy Facebook post, strongly disagreeing with Isam B's perspective. She argued that equating the niqab with a ninja costume is "a mockery of those who fight an unfair battle every day" and represents social control and oppression. The Prime Minister stated that despite a busy work week, she felt compelled to address the issue, expressing her "indignation" and reaffirming the importance of the fight against social control.

“

The fight against social control is far from new. But I am once again confirmed in how important it is.

Isam B, in turn, addressed Frederiksen's comments on Instagram, acknowledging the legitimacy of her disagreement but rejecting the notion that he was mocking women who wear the niqab. He clarified that his intention was to highlight that people generally speak condescendingly about women who choose to wear the niqab. "I believe that a woman's right to decide over her body and her appearance must also apply when her choice is one that the prime minister or others do not like," he wrote.

“

I believe that a woman's right to decide over her body and her appearance must also apply when her choice is one that the prime minister or others do not like.

He further explained that his point was not to advocate for all women to wear the niqab, but rather that freedom must encompass the right to make choices that others might not personally make. Frederiksen's social media update also referenced a TV 2 documentary about girls sent on "re-education trips" and statements from the Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir suggesting more freedom in Afghanistan than in Denmark.

“

My point is not that all women should wear the niqab. My point is that freedom must also include the right to make choices that we others would not make ourselves.