11% of Danish Muslims Supported Quran as Sole Basis for National Laws in 2015 Survey

A 2015 survey conducted by Wilke for Jyllands-Posten revealed that 11.3 percent of Danish Muslims believed the Quran should serve as the sole foundation for Denmark's legal system. An additional 26.5 percent advocated for a legal framework that blends the Quran's teachings with the Danish constitution, bringing the total to nearly four out of ten Danish Muslims who desired some form of Quranic influence in national laws. This contrasts with 53.9 percent who stated that Denmark's laws should be based solely on its constitution.

The findings prompted significant discussion among academics and political figures. Jens Peter Frølund Thomsen, a social studies professor at the University of Aarhus, expressed surprise at the numbers, noting that such views indicate religious beliefs interfering with political opinions and suggesting that "democratic norms haven’t taken root amongst all immigrant groups." The survey underscored a divergence in perspectives on the secular nature of Danish society.

An Aarhus-based imam, Radwan Mansour, commented on the results, suggesting that while the Quran would be the sole basis in an Islamic country, for Denmark, a mixture of the Quran and the constitution would be appropriate, arguing they are not in conflict regarding justice and resource sharing. However, he emphasized that Sharia law, including physical punishments, could only be considered if Denmark were to become a Muslim-majority nation.

The poll also drew strong reactions from political parties. Martin Henriksen, spokesman for the anti-immigration Danish People’s Party (DF), stated that the results highlight that "the number of Muslims in Denmark is a problem," criticizing the desire for Quranic law as a disinterest in being part of Danish society. Dan Jørgensen, the Social Democratic Integration Spokesman, stressed that all residents of Denmark must support the constitution, regardless of their religious beliefs.

The demographic context provided by Pew Research Center indicates that Europe's Muslim population is generally younger and has higher fertility rates than other European groups, contributing to its growth. While this particular survey is from 2015, it remains a frequently cited data point in ongoing debates about integration, religious freedom, and the future of secular governance in Denmark and across Europe.