On assimilation...

Submitted by Andy G (United Kingdom), Jan 24, 2003 at 10:54

I can't comment authoritatively on Denmark, but the following is probably relevant:

A 1993 sociological study of Dutch naturalization motivations (R.F.A. VAN DEN BEDEM, MOTIVES FOR NATURALIZATION (1993).) shed some light on specific cultural aspects of nationality choices, especially with respect to nationals of Muslim countries. Out of this study it appears that relevant elements of individual choice in naturalization decisions are: (1) eligibility for family reunification; (2) eligibility for social welfare benefits; (3) access to the benefits of European Union non-discrimination legislation; (4) residual family and cultural ties with the nationality of origin among generations born in the receiving country; (5) dual nationality rules in sending and receiving countries; (6) specific cultural implications of rupturing the link with the country of origin. The last category includes allusion to the status of the Muslim state as proxy for the Khilafa: Islam knows no state, but the state may claim to act its name and to demand the perpetual allegiance of the faithful. In that light, violation of Islam's duty of allegiance is both treason and apostasy. There may well be a disparity between Islamic thought and the expectations of the Muslim or Arab community in the East and the true allegiance of the Westernized Muslim, citizen of a Western country.

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Of course Islam forbids a Muslim woman (i.e., a female convert or a woman born of a Muslim parent) to marry outside Islam; and a Muslim man who marries a Christian or Jew (or Zoroastrian) must try to bring her to the faith. A wife who converts to Islam without her husband is automatically deemed divorced in islam.

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