As part of new rules on citizenship that came into effect this year, participants at such ceremonies must shake hands with the mayor or local official.

The move was linked to an increase in the cost of the citizenship application process and was seen as targeting Muslims, The Local reports.

Holger Schou Rasmussen, a municipal mayor on the island of Lolland, said the law was “symbolic” and “a slippery slope”.

“It is very un-Danish and I simply dislike it. It does not represent open or free thought. The law should be scrapped because it is only about targeting cultural minorities who would like to be Danish citizens,” he told broadcaster DR.