What Does It Mean to be Danish? The Integration of Muslims in Denmark in a Historical Perspective

Taking as its point of departure a description of Muslim immigration patterns to Denmark, the purpose of this article is twofold: it aims at establishing Denmark as a homogenous country prior to the 20th Century, and it emphasises that questions of religion and the religious practices of minorities have changed over time and challenged the homogeneity accordingly. This is illustrated using two examples: the cartoon controversy 2005-06 and the developments in the political interpretations of the concept of “Integration” before and after the controversy. The argument behind choosing these examples is that the cartoon controversy and the political changes taking place at that time marked a shift in the relationship between the Danish non-Muslim majority and its Muslim minorities. I conclude by characterising the entire period from the 1960s to the present as a period of naturalisation or normalisation of Muslim presence in Denmark and argue that because of constant adjustments and negotiations taking place – most of them peaceful and invisible – the cartoon controversy stands out as the exception emphasising the rule. Slowly but surely Denmark has become a religiously heterogenic society.