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Syrian-born Muslim may be kingmaker in Danish poll

A popular Syrian-born Muslim is set to play kingmaker in Denmark's elections next week, heralding a shift in anti-foreigner sentiment in the country.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 14:25 November 10, 2007
  • Gulf News

  • Image Credit: AP
  • Syrian-born Naser Khader's party is campaigning in elections to soften the influence of the Danish People's Party, known for its harsh rhetoric on immigrants, especially Muslims.

Copenhagen: A popular Syrian-born Muslim is set to play kingmaker in Denmark's elections next week, heralding a shift in anti-foreigner sentiment in the country.

Naser Khader's New Alliance party, which is just six months old, has already made a huge impact in the political spectrum of Denmark.

Khader was an 11-year-old boy when his father brought the family to Denmark in search of a better future. Although reluctant to leave Syria, he now says, "Denmark is my home country and my children's home country".

He said, "The more I go to the Middle East, the more Danish I become because I start to see things with Danish glasses, Danish eyes - no democracy, no freedom of speech."

Khader and his New Alliance party have drawn support by vowing to combat the influence of the anti-immigrant Danish People's Party, improve treatment of asylum seekers and cap income tax levels in Denmark.

Khader grabbed national attention when he led a moderate Muslim movement in 2006, urging calm after a Danish newspaper's publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) sparked violent worldwide protests.

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