More Danes convert to Islam and doubts about resurrection rise

An estimated 5,000 have become Muslims in the last ten years

Justling for column space with a story about another Danish priest who doesn't believe in the resurrection of Jesus is a report about how more ethnic Danes than ever are converting to Islam.

In spite of the negative image in the media, Muslim organisations and mosques report growing numbers of Danes becoming interested in their religion.

"This year's attendance figures have been high, presenting a huge increase, just as we saw during the Jyllands-Posten crisis," Imran Shah, a spokesman for the Islamic Society, told Metroxpress.

Need to believe in something
Danes often decide to convert to Islam because their partner is a Muslim or because they live near a Muslim community and become interested in the religion. 

"I grew up in a disrupted family with a father who is a drug addict. There were times when I needed to believe in something," Malene Dahl, a 19-year-old from Kolding, explained to Metroxpress.

"I chose Islam because I had Muslim friends, so they probably influenced me a little. I have been a Muslim for eight months now."

Some people visit a mosque out of curiosity and slowly build relationships with local Muslims as they feel inspired by their religious views.  

"Due to the negative focus of Islam as a religion, many Danes are interested to know what Muslims themselves think about the current discussion. When they engage in a dialogue they don't experience an 'uhh' moment, they experience an 'aha' moment," Imran Shah noted.

5,000 Danes already converted
Although there are no official figures on how many ethnic Danes have converted to Islam so far, Muslim organisations estimate that about 500 people per year have chosen the religion in recent years.

"The number sounds realistic," Brian Arly Jacobsen from the Institute of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies commented.

"It is probable there are between 5,000 to 6,000 Danish converts, and that more and more wish to convert to Islam." 

Danish priests don't believe in resurrection
Meanwhile, Ulla Charlotte Hansen, a priest from Funen, has said she has a hard time believing God created the world in six days or that Jesus came back from the dead.

"If I had to explain how the world was created, I would say scientists have a Big Bang theory," Hansen told Fyens Stiftstidende newspaper.

The debate about how the Bible should be interpreted flared up after a Copenhagen priest, Per Ramsdal, admitted he did not believe Jesus rose from his grave.

After an official meeting with his bishop, however, Ramsdal apologised for his statements.

The bishop of the Funen diocese, Tine Lindhardt, has recently sent a letter to all priests and parish councils on Funen encouraging them to openly debate what the resurrection means.




  • Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

    Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

    In recent years, the spread of cocaine has accelerated. The drug is easily accessible and not only reserved for wealthy party heads. Copenhagen Police have just arrested ten young people and charged them with reselling cocaine

  • 5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

    5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

    Here are five mistakes I made that helped me understand that belonging isn’t a strategy—it’s a practice. This isn’t a story of struggle—it’s a reflection on growth, told through the lens of emotional intelligence.

  • Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

    Earlier this year, the Danish government changed the law on access for people from third world countries to the Danish labor market. Yet, there may still be a shortcut that goes through universities

  • Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Danish Flower company accused of labor abuse in Türkiye

    Queen Company, a Denmark-origin flower producer with pristine sustainability credentials, is under fire for alleged labor rights violations at its Turkish operation, located in Dikili, İzmir. Workers in the large greenhouse facility have been calling decent work conditions for weeks. The Copenhagen Post gathered testimonies from the workers to better understand the situation

  • Advice for expats: Navigating Life as an International in Denmark

    Advice for expats: Navigating Life as an International in Denmark

    Beginning this month, Expat Counselling will be contributing a monthly article to The Copenhagen Post, offering guidance, tools, and reflections on the emotional and social aspects of international life in Denmark. The first column is about Strategies for emotional resilience

  • New agreement criticized for not attracting enough internationals

    New agreement criticized for not attracting enough internationals

    Several mayors and business leaders across Denmark are not satisfied with the agreement that the government, the trade union movement and employers made last week. More internationals are needed than the agreement provides for

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.


  • “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    Describing herself as a “DEI poster child,” being queer, neurodivergent and an international in Denmark didn’t stop Laurence Paquette from climbing the infamous corporate ladder to become Marketing Vice President (VP) at Vestas. Arrived in 2006 from Quebec, Laurence Paquette unpacks the implications of exposing your true self at work, in a country that lets little leeway for individuality

  • Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Agreement between unions and employers allows more foreign workers in Denmark under lower salary requirements, with new ID card rules and oversight to prevent social dumping and ensure fair conditions.

  • New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    Kadre Darman was founded this year to support foreign-trained healthcare professionals facing challenges with difficult authorisation processes, visa procedures, and language barriers, aiming to help them find jobs and contribute to Denmark’s healthcare system