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The highly acclaimed poet Yahya Hassan, 24, was found dead by his mother in his apartment in Aarhus last April.
In accordance with Muslim custom, he was buried within a few days, on May 5. At the party at Vestre Cemetery in Aarhus, the coffin was followed by many mourners.
It was carried by a dozen men, who brought the dust after Yahya Hassan very close to the grave site. It is the images that now lead to harsh criticism.
“Sad to see the photos”
– I think it was sad to see the photos of Yahya Hassan’s funeral. Because there were so many people standing so close, says the integration minister, Mattias Tesfaye.
– That’s the opposite we need now.
Recent Danish statistics show that 18 percent of those who tested positive for coronaviruses are “non-western immigrants” or their children.
But that group represents only nine percent of the population.
Big cities hit hard
The Copenhagen area, Odense and Århus have a high incidence of infection among immigrants.
– When you look at the photos from the funeral, you can’t help but think that all of our handling is primarily about how people behave, says Mattias Tesfaye.
– We in government cannot sit down and manage the details, but we have made specific efforts in vulnerable housing areas.
“You must make your own effort”
The Minister of Integration assigns much of the responsibility for the situation to the affected groups themselves.
– I have to say that you can’t lie down on the sofa and wait for the authorities to knock on the door. You should also make your own effort, says Mattias Tesfaye.
– Many citizens in this country have acquired information themselves. Regardless of what we do as an authority, someone on the other side needs to take it seriously.
