Naser Khader

Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Naser Khader served as a member of the Danish Parliament, Folketinget, from 2001 until 2011, as a member of the Conservative Party.

Khader's main research areas include freedom of speech and the fight for democracy and democratic values in multicultural societies. He is the Founder of the Democratic Muslims, which was established in the beginning of the Danish cartoon crisis to give moderate Muslims a platform and voice. He is also the Founder and Chairman of the Danish political party New Alliance.

He has written several books about Islam and integration, and gives lectures worldwide on that subject. On Islam, the Middle East, and the Arabic Spring, he is a frequent contributor to Danish media and television. Khader is considered one of Denmark's leading experts in Middle East affairs, and he was one of the first to talk about an emerging civil courage among the civilians in the Arab countries (before the Arab spring).

He has been awarded several prizes in recognition of his fight for freedom of speech, secularity, and integration of immigrants into the Danish culture.

Naser Khader, born in Damascus, Syria, has lived in Denmark since 1974 and is a Danish citizen.

Education and courses

• MSc Economics from University of Copenhagen 1993.
• Supplementary courses in rhetoric and communication, Aarhus University, 1994-1995.
• Middle East studies, Odense University, 1991-1993.
• Supplementary courses in minority studies, University of Copenhagen, 1993.
• Studies Theology at University of Copenhagen.

Profession and positions of trust

• Writing chronicles, comments, and blogs for different Medias in Scandinavia.
• Radio host on "P1" (Danish Radio Channel), as of January 2012
• Blogging on BT (a Danish news paper), "Verden ifølge Khader" (The World according to Khader), since 2011
• Member of the Danish Parliament from 2001 to 2011
• Member of The Conservative Party since 17th of March 2009
• Leader of the Party New Alliance 7th of May 2007 to 28th of August 2008 
• Member of the Social Liberal party 1984-2007
• Member of the central board of the Social Liberal Party
• Member of a think tank concerning integration – established by the Interior Ministry 2000 - 2001
• Member of Member of the Danish Council of Ethics
• Member of the central board of Lokal- og Anlægsfonden 1999-2000
• City Councilor, The Social Liberal Party, 1997-2000
• Consultant for Denmark's Radio 1989-97
• Arabic interpreter and translator 1983-1998
• Consultant in the housing association DAB
• Member of the central board of Nyt Europa (New Europe) and of their group of spokesmen

Publications

• Author of Ære og Skam (Honour and Shame), (Borgen, 1996).
• Khader.dk with Jakob Kvist (Aschehoug, 2000)
• Modsætninger Mødes with Bent Melchior (A Meeting of Opposites), 2003
• Tro mod Tro with Kathrine Lilleør (Faith against Faith), (People's Press, 2005).
• Naser Khader og folkestyret, (Naser Khader and Representative Government), 2005.

Awards

• The International Secular Award Marianne from Comité Laïcité Republique France 2007.
• The newspaper Jyllands-Posten's award Freedom of Speech 2006.
• Livsforum Livspris 2006.
• Heiberg-prisen – a freedom of speech award 2002.
• Junior Chambers' award "The Outstanding Young Person 2001."
• Modermål-Selskabets' (the Native Language Association) Native Language Award 2000.
• The AFS-Interkultur Intercultural Award, 1999.
• Danish Authors' Association award for Peace and International Understanding, 1998.
• The Cultural Award from the Union of Commercial and Clerical Employees in Denmark (HK) 1998.