The recitation of the Quran in front of a Christmas tree sparks widespread controversy in Copenhagen, with the Minister of Integration describing it as an unnecessary provocation.

According to TV2, the recitation of verses from the Quran via loudspeakers in Rådhuspladsen Square in central Copenhagen, as well as in the Christmas market at Enghave Plads, sparked widespread political and media controversy. The events, organized by a group of people over the weekend, prompted sharp criticism from the Minister for Immigration and Integration, as reported in the article. Read more after the announcement.

Official criticism from the Minister of Immigration and Integration

Danish Immigration and Integration Minister Rasmus Stoklund attacked these events, describing them as “intrusive” and ”an unnecessary provocation,” according to TV2.

The minister said that Copenhagen residents go out during this period to buy roasted almonds, gifts and stockings as part of the Christmas atmosphere, asking: Why should they be bothered by such events?

According to the article, Stocklund explained that he does not oppose reading the Quran in principle, stressing that freedom of religion is guaranteed in Denmark, but he added: “If someone wants to read the Quran, I have no problem with that. We have religious freedom in Denmark, and this can be done at home. There is no need to put a loudspeaker in Rådhuspladsen square and recite the Quran in a way that disturbs everyone.”.

A wave of discontent on social media

The article stated that the events over the weekend sparked widespread discontent on social media, with a large number of users sharing videos documenting what happened.
According to TV2, these clips show a man standing on a platform resembling a mosque pulpit, reciting verses from the Holy Quran in front of passersby in Rådhuspladsen square and in the Christmas market in Enghave Plads square.

Political calls to counter such activities

According to what TV2 quoted from the Berlingske newspaper, Copenhagen city council member Niels Peder Ravn of the Conservative Party called for confronting such events in the future.
Raven told the newspaper that Danish society needs a serious discussion about whether it is acceptable to impose religion on others in the public sphere in this way.

Who is behind organizing the events?

The article explained that the well-known influencer Ahmad Elchaabi, his civilian name, is at the forefront of the organizers of these events.
TV2 noted that Al-Shaabi was convicted last year of justifying terrorism on his Instagram account, following a comment he made regarding the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

The article quoted what Al-Shaabi said at the time in a video on Instagram, where he literally said:
“Let’s be realistic. What’s happening there in Israel isn’t entirely fair, because there are still people living there. There are people there who haven’t been torn apart yet. But 250 people, that’s not a bad number.”.

The organizer denies any intention to provoke or create division.

Ahmad Elchaabi confirmed, in a written response sent to TV2, that these events are not intended to provoke or create division.
He explained that these activities take place at different times of the year, are not directed against Christmas, and are not linked to any hidden agenda.

Al-Shaabi pointed out, according to the article, that the organizers seek to create dialogue, peace and mutual understanding between people of different religious and cultural backgrounds, noting that they distribute chocolate, biscuits and hot and cold drinks to passersby.

Explaining the objectives of recitation and presence in public places

Ahmed Al-Shaabi wrote in his response to TV2:
“When we are in places like Stroe, Rådhuspladsen, Gammeltorv and Kultorvet, we do so openly and peacefully. The recitation of the Qur’an and the hanging verses are intended to highlight the shared values between Islam and Christianity, including messages of love, peace, respect and hope.”.

He added that references to the return of Jesus Christ represent a common theological denominator between the two religions, and are intended to be a unifying factor, not a divisive one, as he put it.

His stance on the verdict issued against him

Al-Shaabi denied that his previous conviction was a reason for some people to feel unsafe, and in response to a question from TV2, he said: “I was convicted of glorifying or justifying Hamas’s attack on civilians. But I still disagree with this verdict, because I do not support and will not justify attacks on innocent civilians. Therefore, I see no reason for me to be a source of fear for anyone, as long as I have not been convicted of harming anyone, I have not been under suspicion, and I have had no intention of harming anyone.”.

Why did the initiative continue?

When asked who was behind the initiative, Ahmed Chaabi replied, as quoted verbatim in his response to TV2: “We are two young men who started this initiative as a peaceful response to Rasmus Paludan’s attempts to provoke Muslims. We continued because the media often portrays Muslims as criminals, violent, or extremists, an image we do not have of ourselves, and because the Quran is often associated with negative stories.”.

Response to the minister's description of the event

Regarding Integration Minister Rasmus Stoklund's description of the event as an unnecessary provocation, the populist said: "I don't have much to say about what Rasmus calls a provocation. It's clear that elections are approaching, and the Social Democratic Party is going through a difficult time.".

He added, citing previous statements by the minister regarding the call to prayer, that this reflects – in his view – an attempt to create a political problem in order to gain votes, and concluded by saying:
“I thank him for his concern and wish him a successful election campaign.”.

Legal effectiveness, but with controversial implications.

The Minister of Integration, according to TV2, acknowledged that the organizers have a constitutional right to freedom of expression and assembly, explaining that the event was legally reported as a demonstration to the Copenhagen police, but at the same time he stressed his right to criticize it, saying that he does not understand its purpose other than to attract negative attention.

Municipal complaints and contact with the police

The article stated that the Copenhagen municipality received five complaints regarding the effectiveness of the Quran recitation that took place on Saturday.
The municipality's technology and environment department explained in a written response to TV2 that it had contacted the police about the event, noting that the organizers had not applied for a permit to use equipment such as loudspeakers.

The municipality confirmed that it had tried to advise the organizers of the need to submit a formal request, noting the possibility of imposing restrictions on the sound level, size and duration of the event, but it has not received any request so far.

Removal powers are solely in the hands of the police.

According to the article, the Copenhagen municipality confirmed that only the police have the legal authority to remove or stop the event.
TV2 noted that Ahmed Al-Shaabi did not respond to the channel's question regarding the municipality's position before the article was published.