Denial and Pragmatism: Islam and the Danish State

Abstract

From halal food to the veil, this article analyses the relationship between Islam and the Danish state. It finds a coexistence of two modes of dealing with Islam: an official approach dominated by denial of the existence of Islam within Danish society and an unwillingness to recognise Muslim religious practices; and a pragmatic approach, mostly found at the local level, that focuses on finding practical solutions. This article argues that the official resistance to recognising Islam makes it comparatively harder for the Danish state to influence the country’s Muslim religious sphere.