The phenomenon of Islamophobia, which was limited to the political class when elections were due in Denmark and in Scandinavian countries in general, has become a lived reality in the Danish street, and Muslim women wearing headscarves and Islamic institutions and centers suffer from it. This phenomenon is fueled, according to some, by the positions of the extreme right-wing political parties. .
Denmark has two far-right parties represented in parliament that are leading campaigns against Islam and Muslims, including calls for laws against the Islamic presence in Denmark. We recall the positions of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, which has condemned Denmark on a number of occasions for the increasing hate speech and discrimination against Islam and Muslims. The most recent of these was the Commission’s report, which described the phenomenon of Islamophobia in Denmark as a ”worrying phenomenon” suffered by citizens of Muslim origin or belonging to non-Western countries.
Some of the statistics promoted by far-right parties aim to frighten Danish society about the Islamic presence in Denmark and some European societies, including the claim that there is a plan to ”Islamize Denmark” by 2035, due to the high birth rate among Muslims compared to Danes, and that the percentage of Muslims in the German city of Hamburg by 2030 will be 60 percent of the population.
The reactions of Muslim communities to the campaigns and insults led by the far right against Islam and Muslims, such as the burning of the Quran by the extremist Rasmus Paludan, have given a bad image of Muslims. Ignoring his repeated insults against Islam and Muslims by directing Islamic institutions in Denmark allowed him to move to Sweden, where many unfortunate incidents occurred in response to Rasmus Paludan's insults (burning police cars, burning public institutions, police stations, etc.). This has caused a division within Swedish society regarding the presence of Muslim communities, and this may lead to dire consequences for Muslims through the enactment of laws against Islam and Muslims in these countries in the coming days. Muslim communities must avoid being drawn into the far right's insults against Islam, which fuel its extremist rhetoric within Scandinavian societies.
The roles played by Islamic institutions in Denmark in highlighting the true nature of Islam and combating Islamophobia are achieved through holding numerous conferences focused on the correct understanding of Islam. These conferences also present statistics showcasing the positive aspects of Muslim communities in Denmark, their prominent positions in high-level professions (doctors, engineers, etc.), and their significant contribution to Denmark's national income. Furthermore, they translate books that highlight the role of the mosque, which is often perceived as a negative aspect in Scandinavian societies. An annual open day at the mosque is also organized, hosting influential figures in Danish society to promote a true understanding of Islam and correct misconceptions held by Danish politicians who now equate Islam with terrorism. For example, Islamic institutions sent protest letters to the Danish Prime Minister in 2019 following the burning of the Quran. In response, the Prime Minister tweeted his condemnation of the Quran burning and denounced Rasmus Paludan's actions, which he accused of attempting to divide Danish society. These institutions also actively engage in dialogue. With Danish political parties regarding the phenomenon of Islamophobia.
Danish society now distinguishes between terrorism and Islam and has a sound understanding of Islam and Muslims. Danish media also distinguishes between Islam and terrorist acts.
