Shifa Rahaman
March 30th, 2016

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Following the deadly terror attacks in Brussels, Parliament today debated enforcing a travel ban on imams who have in the past encouraged anti-democracy and anti-Western sentiment. However, experts warn that the measures could backfire, TV2 reports.

Persona non grata
Journalist, author and commentator Deniz Serinci believes the ban will be useless at best – and may even prove counterproductive.

“If we ban certain imams from entering the country, they can use that as an example that our society has double standards,” he told TV2.

“They can use it to their advantage by pointing out that Denmark praises freedom of expression while simultaneously denying them entry into the country just because of some past utterances.”

He also believes the idea that banning certain imams from entering Denmark will counter extremism is naive.

“Young people may still find the imams’ videos and messages on the web. It is naive to believe that because you ban an imam from entering the country, he cannot spread his messages here,” he said.

Serinci believes the answer lies instead in focusing resources on training imams who can argue against the hatred that is being preached in some quarters.

Terrorists (and commies) not welcome
The think-tank Justitia is also critical of the proposed measures.

“If such a ban is introduced, it should apply only to people who are deemed a danger to national security, or ones who have encouraged terrorism or violence,” said Jacob Mchangama, the head of Justitia.

He also urged caution against the enforcement of vague travel bans.

“We must be careful with a very wide entry ban. We’ve previously considered a ban on people who have shown anti-democracy behaviour – but that could also mean a communist,” he said.

Though there is a political majority in favour of the travel ban, nothing has been fleshed out yet. The parliament will meet again on April 7 for the next negotiating session.