Press Release
The Debate on Graduation Truck Rides Exposes the Deep-Seated Islamophobia of Danish Media and Politicians

This past week has seen a significant media and political uproar over social media posts where Muslims congratulated this year's graduates while also presenting the Islamic perspective on graduation truck rides marked by alcohol and immoral behavior.

These Islamic reminders, which have generally been reasonable and well-argued, have provoked a frenzy in national media and among politicians across the political spectrum at Christiansborg. Driven by their deep-seated hatred of Islam, they have launched personal attacks against named Muslims, including a member of Hizb ut Tahrir / Denmark. Even though it is a simple matter of expressing Islamic values and encouraging fellow Muslims to proudly uphold them, certain unscrupulous journalists and politicians have attempted to silence Muslims by dragging their professional lives into the matter.

Both self-proclaimed and government-employed “experts,” along with career politicians who long ago revealed they possess neither values nor decency, have lined up to contribute to the demonization of Muslims who refuse to relinquish or remain silent about their Islamic values. The usual clichés about negative social control, fear, and exclusion are thrown around liberally.

The Minister for Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek (Social Democrats), also joined in with a frankly unintelligent interview in BT on July 2, 2025. He described the clearly problematic drinking culture among Danish youth as “[…] part of our culture, and I think one should accept it instead of trying to make a problem out of it.” For the minister, rejecting this is both “frightening” and makes it “hard to see how one can be part of Danish society.”

Since then, the Minister of Culture — and former cocaine driver — Jakob Engel-Schmidt (Moderates) has also weighed in, appointing himself moral judge of what Muslims should believe in order to be accepted in Denmark.

One has to wonder where this immense political outrage has been for the 637 days of Danish-supported genocide in Palestine. And on what moral high ground genocide-supporting media and politicians imagine they stand when they try to preach “values” to Muslims. As usual, when it comes to Islamic expressions, the much-lauded freedom of speech is suddenly hard to find.

To the Muslim youth, we say:

A heartfelt congratulations to all of you who, despite pressure from the powerful and the hateful, hold firmly to your Islamic values and refuse to be intimidated. Through your stance, you are role models to other youth around you and shining examples of young people who possess true values and personal integrity — far more important than any school grade. Those who seek to crush your Islamic identity lack even the most basic decency or humanity. Do not despair when they try to demonize you. Engage actively in society and carry your Islam with you in both word and deed — this is the most effective remedy against hatred and lies. Do not be saddened when they try to shame or threaten you. They are only undermining their own so-called “freedoms” and revealing how weak their foundations truly are. It is not they, but Allah, who grants success — and He is always with you. You have every reason to be proud, for you are the pride of the entire Muslim community!

Elias Lamrabet
Media Representative of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Denmark