A Muslim procession in Copenhagen has sparked significant attention and heated debate among political actors. The procession took place on Wednesday on Nørrebrogade to mark the Shia Muslim holiday ‘Ashura,’ which commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, Hussein ibn Ali. Several hundred Muslims participated, waving flags and chanting battle cries in Arabic, which has led to criticism from several politicians.
Pia Kjærsgaard from the Danish People’s Party (Dansk Folkeparti) stated that the procession is an example of problems with Muslim parallel societies in Denmark. She described it as “sinister” and “un-Danish,” as according to her, the procession has nothing to do with Danish traditions. Kjærsgaard pointed out that the participants are dressed in black and the women walk at the back, which she sees as a sign of a fundamentalist Islamic tradition.
Susie Jessen from the Denmark Democrats (Danmarksdemokraterne) supports Kjærsgaard’s viewpoint and calls the procession an “Islamic show of power.” She believes it goes against gender equality, expressing that participants should spend time celebrating Danish holidays like Constitution Day instead.
The procession, held annually, also intertwines political issues with the religious celebration. This time, the focus was on the war in Gaza, which Pia Kjærsgaard finds “reprehensible” as she believes religion is being used for political purposes.
Murtada Alshawi, the coordinator of the Ashura procession, rejects the criticism and believes that Denmark has become multicultural, and that politicians should accept this change. He adds that the procession aims to show solidarity with the Palestinian population and criticizes politicians for their lack of action in relation to the conflict in Palestine.
The procession is organized by several Danish mosques, including the controversial Imam Ali Mosque in Copenhagen’s Northwest district. This mosque has been contentious for its connections to Iranian authorities and the spread of Iranian propaganda.
The debate about the procession continues, and it is clear that the question of religion and politics in Danish society is still a burning issue.