Travelling on public transport in the capital with photo-ID requires officials to be able to see the passenger, but maybe not elsewhere in the country
The case of a Muslim woman who was refused travel on a regional Funen bus multiple times because she was wearing a niqab has divided public opinion.
Amina Farah Suleiman, 41, originally from Somalia, wears a traditional head covering, which only leaves her eyes visible.
The most recent refusal to let her travel came last week, when, for the fourth time, a bus driver on regional transport company Fynbus stopped her from boarding.
The driver had taken issue with the woman using a monthly travel pass which features a picture ID. As he could not see the woman’s face to confirm that she was the correct owner of the travel pass he refused her passage.
While the 3F union has backed the driver’s actions, the head of Fynbus has said that the woman should have been allowed to travel.
The Muslim Union, which represents 30 Muslim organisations and promotes integration, said that it was natural for the driver to want to confirm the identification of the passenger if she was using a photo travel pass.
Meanwhile, DR News reports that different rules are adopted at Copenhagen bus company Movia. Claus Hermansen of Movia said that if passengers want to use photo ID travel passes, then they must be willing to show their face. Otherwise they must be willing to buy multi-tickets or pay cash.
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