Danish Integration Minister Inger Støjberg | EPA/LAURENT DUBRULE Denmark pushes ahead with hate preacher blacklist Integration minister says preachers have ‘special obligation’ when speaking from the pulpit.

A controversial Danish government plan to deny visas to "anti-democratic" religious leaders is a test of the country's resolve to limit its exposure to hate speech, according to Integration Minister Inger Støjberg.

"We are under pressure and can see examples of some Muslim communities that bring in people who preach hatred and a direct showdown against the foundations of Danish freedom," Støjberg told website Politiko.dk in an interview.

The government's plan, first announced in March, would require the Danish Immigration Service to draw up a list of imams and other religious leaders who would be denied visas for '"encouraging terrorism or anti-democratic attitudes."

"The lists apply to all faiths, but to be honest this is primarily about Islam," Støjberg said, adding that religious leaders have a "special obligation" when speaking from the pulpit.

Justitia, a Danish think tank, warned in March that the blacklist plan violated free speech and should be limited “to people who are considered to pose a threat to national security or who have encouraged terrorism or violence against groups of people.”

Støjberg acknowledged that the definition of anti-democratic speech was not clear cut, but said: "I do not think you have to give up just because it's hard," adding that those targeted will have the right to appeal.