Within four decades of immigration, Islam has become the largest minority-religion in Denmark. This has resulted in a need for Muslim institutions in Denmark such as burial places, educational institutions and places for prayer. The need for these religious institutions has been disputed since they were first established.

   The aim of this article is to describe and analyze the strategies used by Danish politicians in dealing with the presence of Islam and Muslims in Denmark, illustrated by the debate on the plan for building a mosque in Copenhagen. The analysis of this debate in the Danish parliament during 1980-2007 shows how Danish politicians attempt to construct "otherness" (explicitly) and "Danishness" (implicitly) through their articulation on Muslims. Hereby they construct Muslims as the "otherness" of Danish identity which at one and the same time makes Danish identity possible and impossible. Possible, because Muslims as a relation of difference are, what gives identity to the notions of "Danishness" and "Danish culture". Impossible, because they prevent "Danishness" from becoming complete.