In yet another manifestation of Islamophobia, Denmark's immigration minister has advised Muslims - who are fasting during Ramadan - to stay at home in order to "avoid negative consequences for the rest of Danish society," according to The New York Times.
Inger Stojberg expressed her disturbing views in an opinion piece on Monday, stating that fasting Muslims pose risks in some professions, making them a "danger to all of us".
She cited the long fasting hours in Denmark, which exceed 18 hours.
"I want to call on Muslims to take leave from work during the month of Ramadan to avoid negative consequences for the rest of Danish society," she said.
She especially warned against bus drivers and hospital employees. However, bus companies were among the first to confirm they had no problem with fasting Muslims during Ramadan, according to the BBC.
"Islamophobia to a whole new level"
Others resorted to humor
"I think the Danish integration minister poses a safety hazard"
"Let's not pretend asking Muslims to take leave is for the actual well-being of Muslims who fast"
"Mind you, she's the immigration and integration minister"
Stojberg has previously been heavily criticized for her discrimination against immigrants. In 2017, she made headlines after celebrating the passing of the country's 50th immigration restriction via a post shared to her Facebook page.
"Today the 50th restriction was passed on immigration. This must be celebrated!" she wrote in the caption of the post.
The celebratory post was met with intense backlash at the time.
In 2016, Denmark's Parliament passed a law demanding newly arrived asylum seekers to "surrender valuables like jewelry and gold to help pay for their stay in the country," according to The New York Times.
Following criticism, the law was amended to exempt "objects with sentimental value" such as wedding bands and family portraits.
The law has been applied just four times after being introduced, according to The New York Times.
Denmark's proposed 'burqa and niqab ban'
The Danish government is keen on introducing a ban on full-face coverings in public places.
The European country's liberal party, which once supported all women attire and women's freedom to dress, expressed opposition to the niqab in October 2017 - with a majority-backing of the Danish parliament.
In February, the Danish government formally proposed a ban on Islamic full-face veils. The proposal is yet to be passed. Fines will be handed out to people who wear the niqab and burqa in public.
"It is incompatible with the values of the Danish society or the respect for the community to keep the face hidden when meeting each other in the public space," said Soren Pape Poulsen, Justice Minister, according to The Independent.
Legal experts have criticized the "lack of clarity" in the proposed law, according to The Local, questioning how private and public spaces are to be defined.