The Danish Parliament is once again debating the inclusion of the Muhammad crisis in the national history curriculum, reigniting discussions about free speech, self-censorship, and the role of education. This follows a previous motion that was rejected, prompting renewed scrutiny of the Social Democrats’ stance on the matter.

A recent study, commissioned to assess the extent of self-censorship among teachers regarding the depiction of Muhammad, has been widely criticized for its shortcomings. The research, costing 4.2 million kroner, has been labeled “touchy,” “conflict-averse,” and “close to useless” by members of its advisory group, who claim it failed to adequately address the core issue.

The initial motion proposed two key changes: adding the Muhammad crisis to the mandatory history curriculum while maintaining teachers’ freedom of teaching methods, and developing optional teaching materials for the official teaching portal. The first part would make teaching the subject mandatory. The second one would give teachers access to teaching material about the Muhammad crisis for voluntary use.

The Minister of Education, Mattias Tesfaye, has expressed willingness to explore political action, despite initially rejecting the motion in 2023, citing security concerns. His prior rejection was based on a security assessment from the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (PET) that teaching the material would not eliminate risks for individual teachers.

Alternative approaches have been suggested, including a traveling task force or a teaching video, to alleviate the burden on teachers. These proposals aim to facilitate education on the sensitive topic while addressing concerns about potential repercussions.

The Social Democrats’ reluctance to fully support these initiatives has raised questions about their motivations. Concerns have been voiced regarding potential foreign policy consequences and the influence of Muslim countries on Denmark’s educational policies.

The core question now is whether the Social Democrats will prioritize free speech and academic freedom or succumb to external pressures. The party’s decision will have significant implications for the future of education and the balance between religious sensitivities and the principles of the Enlightenment in Denmark.