Denmark: Can I fight for a Christian country?

A recent Q&A on Danish newspaper Kristeligt Dagblad’s religion portal led to a storm of opinions.

The question:

Salaam alakayium, I’m a boy of 18 who wants to ask a question: I’ve been to the army’s [recruiting] day in Slagelse, and I was born and raised in Denmark. When I’m thinking about it now, my parents are from Pakistan and I’m from Denmark.

So my question is: is military service permitted by Islam, and what now, if I’m considering being a soldier for Denmark or doing some form of training in defense of the country where I will live my whole life?

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

Is it permitted to be a soldier and fight for a Christian country which has so many Muslims? And if it’s not allowed, in which way, and if it’s allowed, in which way? I’m really confused on this issue.

Mohammad

Answer:

Wa aleikum al salam,

It’s allowed to do military training in a non-Muslim country, if during the training you can still practice Islam and at the same time, it’s not required that you carry out acts which are not permitted in Islam, including serving as a silent and obedient slave-soldier for oppressive governments, which unfortunately wage wars for their own interest above the people’s welfare.

For example, I can’t see who a Muslim can be stationed in Afghanistan, without at the same time helping to support oppression, which unfortunately is taking place.

I can see possibilities elsewhere though. Some of the military training can be done while at the same time keeping away from the wars, our government has gotten involved in. You’re not forced to be stationed abroad. You can easily serve as a soldier at home. This depends though on the training you’re taking.

With my limited knowledge in this area, I think that combat troops are forced to be stationed abroad when you’re finished training, while people in the Royal Guard have the option of serving in Denmark and not getting involved in the government’s foreign affairs.

I therefore advise to explore your options and choose those that suit you best.

I myself have great interest in the military and strongly considered after finishing high-school (HF) to start military training, but dropped the idea and put other priorities ahead of it. If you are passionate about it, I again advise you to explore your options.

You can inquires by the army and explain to them your situation or go through their website: forsvaret.dk.

Sincerely,
Mohammad Al-Jizani
Shia Muslim and student

Mohammad Al-Jizani is the editor of the Shia debate forum www.shiaonline.dk.

This led to quite a few opinion pieces in response.

Theologist Bo Grünberger:

“.. a democratic government’s attempt to defeat a barbaric regime, which publicly beheads people, bans music and forces women and men into a fanciful hell of a prophet’s dream, can’t be called oppressive, unless there is something very wrong with one’s perception of reality,” wrote Bo Grünberger, who also criticized Kristeligt Dagblad for using Mohammad Al-Jizani as a responder.

As did Johan Aa, who thinks Mohammad Al-Jizani’s answer is an expression of a different form of oppression.

“Is this the image that Al-Jizani himself – in a distorted understanding of religion – wants to serve as a silent and obedient slave-solder for an oppressive Islam?”

Other Muslims also joined in the debate, including Safia Aoude, a jurist and teacher at a Muslim school.

“Muslims are obligated to defend their homes, both by the Koran and the Prophet’s example, and therefore also the country where you and your family live in. Therefore it’s not only permitted, but also laudable and benefits the community, if you get military training, for example, the Danish army,” says Safia Aoude, who stresses that the Danish army allows you to opt out of participating directly in war.

“If you don’t want to fight for Denmark, for example, in other parts of the world, the Danish military system leaves you plenty of opportunities to do civil service. In recent years the military in Denmark did a lot to give a place to the religious needs of Muslim soldiers during training and service, although it hasn’t yet introduced a hijab uniform, but I’m certain that will also come sooner or later,” wrote Safia Aoude.

Aminah Tønnsen, a Muslim lecturer and author of several books about Islam, criticized the war in Afghanistan.

“In my view there’s nothing to prevent a Muslim from training for the Danish army. However, it’s problematic if he’s then stationed in war-like conditions, as the Koran only permits defensive war,” wrote Aminah Tønnsen, who generally rejects the belief that war is a solution.

“I don’t think that you can establish people, freedom and democracy by force of arms, death and destruction,” writes Aminah Tønnsen.

The fierce debate led Mohammad Al-Jizani to respond:

“Overall, I’m very much aware how oppressive and barbaric is the Taliban. I myself am a strong opponent of theirs. Therefore I think that such tyrants should be removed from power. I don’t support, though, anybody who wants them removed. A superpower like the USA have their own interests in the country, and I don’t think that moral people should support them,” wrote Mohammad Al-Jizani and added that his answer shouldn’t be seen as a criticism of Danish soldiers.

“I have a lot of respect for our soldiers and veterans, and I’m convinced that they do it in good faith and really want to help the Afghans and make a difference down there, which is a noble idea. Additionally, I have friends who’ve been stationed in Afghanistan and I’ve talked a lot with them about the war. This doesn’t mean though that I exclude other opinions and don’t look at the war objectively. The war is unjustified and I prefer that people don’t get involved in it, but instead serve in Denmark. It’s much more noble to defend and serve one’s country than to wage war against others,” wrote Mohammad Al-Jizani.

Source: Kristeligt Dagblad (Danish)

Denmark: More 2nd generation immigrants buying residences

A third of non-Western second generation immigrants aged 30 own their residences, reports Statistics Denmark. The same goes for 40% of non-Western second generation immigrants aged 35.

Descendants of immigrants are getting into the ownership market much more than their parents. 21-29% of non-Western immigrants live in their own residence. Among those over 50 the percentage is highest at 29%.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

Immigrants and their descendants are less likely to buy a residence than somebody of Danish origin.

Half of Danish 30 year old live in their own residence, as does a majority (61%) of all people between 25 and 60. That’s 64% among Danes, 42% for Western immigrants and 26% for non-Western immigrants.

48% of descendants of Western immigrants live in their own residence, compared to 33% of non-Western descendants. Statistics Denmark concludes that’s because the descendants of non-Western immigrants are very young.

The percent of residence owners generally increases with age, until people are in their 60s. 33% of those aged 25-29, 56% of people in their thirties 30-39, 65% of people in their forties, and the greatest share of 68% of those in their fifties, live in their own residence.

Source: Fyens.dk (Danish)

Denmark: Cartoonist attacker charged with terror

Denmark’s top prosecutor has charged a Somali man with terrorism for allegedly trying to kill a cartoonist who caricatured the Prophet Muhammad.

Joergen Steen Soerensen said Friday that the man, who cannot be named under a court order, wanted to “seriously frighten the population” and destabilize Denmark in the attack on cartoonist Kurt Westergaard.

(more)

Source: AP

Iran: Copenhagen will have a Muslim majority in 10 years

Mohammad Javad Ardashir Larijani, Secretary General of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights claims Copenhagen will be Muslim in 10-15 years (h/t Gates of Vienna).

“Based on their own statistics, probably on 2020 or 2025, Copenhagen is the first European city that most of it’s people will become Muslim.”

I have no idea what statistics Larijani is referring to. It’s estimated that today Copenhagen has about 13% Muslims. For Copenhagen to have a Muslim majority in ten years would require an additional 200,000 Muslims (and that’s assuming the population stays constant).

Do you agree with Larijani? Which European city would be first to have a Muslim majority? Take the poll below.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

Mohammad Javad Ardashir Larijani, Secretary General of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights

“Look at anti-Islam movement. Anti-Islamic movement is a disgraceful feature of western society. Just recently, stupid Prime Minister of Denmark came into power, that by his look you can say how idiot and stupid he is, in his first speech, he said: “I have problem with Islam.” of course, he is a small blow in front of Islam. Islam is a huge rock. since past 14 centuries, many people hit this rock and they lost their head. what I want to say is that they are very disgraceful.

why did he (danish Prime Minister) say these stuff? Because based on their own statistics, probably on 2020 or 2025, Copenhagen is the first European city that most of it’s people will become Muslim.

Denmark: Fewer immigrants voting in municipal elections

Immigrants and their descendants in Denmark are increasingly leaving democracy. From 1997 to 2009 the share of foreigners who voted in municipal elections fell by 11% in Copenhagen and 17% in Aarhus.

This according to a historically extensive study, conducted by the Ministry of Integration.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

“It should be noted as a very dramatic drop, which certainly isn’t good for democracy. There’s negative socializing, where immigrants meet other immigrants, who don’t vote either. It’s a bad loop,” says one of the authors of the study, Kasper Møller Hansen, professor of political science at the University of Copenhagen.

44 municipalities contributed to the study, the biggest one of its type in the world, and which included 2.4 million votes just in the 2009 municipal elections. 37% of immigrants and 36% of their descendants voted in those elections, compared to 68% among ethnic Danes.

The integration ministry’s think-tank produced a series of reports from 2000 to 2007, in which they set goals for successful integration. In a report from 2001, the think-tank recommended to get foreigners to ‘engage in the political life of society on an equal footing with Danes.” But since then fewer foreigners went to vote.

“It’s sad and very problematic democratically, that it’s gone the wrong way. One of the most important criteria for integration is vote turnout,” says CBS professor Erik Bonnesen, head of the now defunct think-tank.

The Council for Ethnic Minorities is looking for volunteers to inform immigrants and their descendants about the political process.

“It’s incredibly important that the municipalities take proactive action and create confidence in the system by foreigners, long before the elections. I met many who didn’t think it was beneficial to vote,” says the head of the council, Lally Harpal Parwana.

In March the government and the Danish People’s Party limited foreigners’ right to vote in municipal elections, and now they need to have lived in Denmark for four years before being able to vote.

Integration spokesperson for the Social Democrats, Henrik Dam Kristensen, says the development was ‘deeply worrying’ and blames the government.

“This shows that integration didn’t work well enough at all. The government failed time and time again in this area, and now there should be more focus on democracy – you must simply make sure to provide better information,” says Henrik Dam Kristensen.

Integration Minister Birthe Rønn Hornbech (V) is upset by the result, but insists that there have been enough efforts to get foreigners off the couch.

“I’m naturally disappointed, but you can’t force people to vote. We distributed brochures and posted informational material in the libraries, and then people can take it or leave it. I think we’ve done a lot,” she says.

Q: what do you think this says about integration?

“It’s an indication that people didn’t understand yet what it means to be a citizen. But it’s also painful, that just two out of three Danes votes. It is way too little.”

Source: Politiken (Danish)

UAE: ‘Glimpses of Muslim life in Europe’

A photography exhibition by Ahmed Krausen, a Danish-Muslim photographer, at Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization, was inaugurated by Shaikh Khalid bin Saqr bin Hamad Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Public Works Department, on Thursday.

The exhibition, to be held till August 14, is titled ‘Dunya — Glimpses of Muslim life in Europe’ and aims at providing an insight into the lives of ordinary Muslims in Europe and connecting their lives to the Muslim community in the Arab world.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

Over 70 images were selected by the artist to evoke major themes in the search for peaceful and harmonious co-existence between Muslim and non-Muslim communities throughout Europe at a time of heightened political, social and religious tensions.

“We are pleased to be the first in the UAE to host this unique exhibition. The images captured by Ahmed Krausen provide us with glimpses of the lives of Muslim communities in Europe and their compelling personal life stories. These photographs will serve as a cultural bridge in highlighting Muslim life in Europe and promoting peace with other Muslim communities and countries around the world,” said Manal Ataya, Director-General of Sharjah Museums Department.

Ahmed Krausen’s encounter with photography started in 1977, when he bought his first reflex camera, a Russian Zenit. “The camera has been the most important companion on my spiritual path to Islam. To me, the significance of light acts as a bridge between Islam and photography,” he said.

Krausen was born in Aachen, Germany in 1955. He was brought up in a strongly Protestant family within a predominantly Roman Catholic community.

This environment and the political events of the sixties and seventies shaped his personality decisively. In 1978, Ahmed Krausen left Germany for Denmark, and he has been living in Copenhagen ever since.

Between 1979 and 1985, the photographer undertook long journeys to Asia, Africa and New Zealand, searching for answers to his many questions about life and death. In 1992, he embraced
Islam.

Krausen is excited about the opportunity to present his work in Sharjah. He said: “This is the first time I can share my passion for documenting Muslim life in Europe with my brothers and sisters in the Gulf. I hope my photos will act as a positive reflection of their presence, their many different experiences and their aspirations in the societies they live in”.

(more)

Source: Khaleej Times

Denmark: Visit by Ghana’s chief imam

Ghana’s chief national imam is on his way to Denmark, where he will try to improve dialog and mutual understanding between European and African Muslims, and between Muslims and Christians in general.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

Dr. Sheik Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu flew from Ghana’s capital, Accra, on Monday, according to the country’s national news agency GNA.

The visit in Denmark is by invitation of the Danish National Council of Churches, who say that Ghana’s top imam is coming to Denmark at the head of a nine-member delegation.

“The delegation will come to the Islamic-Christian study center in Copenhagen Tuesday evening, and will tell about Christian-Muslim relations in Ghana,” says the Council of Churches.

“Additionally the imam wishes to explore opportunities for improving the image of Islam in those countries where there’s a negative attitude towards Islam. He sees it as an Islamic obligation to extend a hand in friendship to non-Muslims,” the Council of Churches says.

After the visit in Denmark, Ghana’s chief imam and his delegation will continue to the US.

Source: Fyens Stiftstidende (Danish)

Copenhagen: Mosque open house

Dialog between Danes and Muslims, that’s the goal of the Islamic Faith Society when they invite people to an open house in their mosque in Copenhagen next week, says spokesperson Bettina Meisner.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

“We have no requirement for people to become Muslim after participating in our event. We want to have a dialog with Danish society about what is Islam and show that it’s not a closed religion which oppresses women,” says Bettina Meisner.

She adds that 500-1000 visitors come when the faith-society organizes open house events.

“Those who come to the open house say that they get insight into the world of Muslim and disprove some prejudices. For example, many discover that the position of women in Islam is not oppressive to women, but that women have an important role in the Muslim world,” says Bettina Meisner.

Integration expert and member of the Copenhagen council Manu Sareen thinks that open house events in various faith-societies are important for integration.

“If there’s something we need in Denmark, it’s some platforms where people meet. There is so much separation between Danes and Muslims. We go round and think a lot about each other without really knowing each other. It’s much easier to be negative towards each other when you don’t have contact,” says Manu Sareen.

He thinks that people who participate in the open house event will either have their prejudices confirmed or disproved.

“The vast majority of Danes get their primary information about Muslims through the media, and it’s not a particularly flattering image, what’s shown. Instead the media contributes to creating a very negative discourse, which greatly affects the Danes. So I certainly welcome those open house events. There’s a need for that,” says Manu Sareen.

Source: Kristeligt Dagblad (Danish)

Denmark: Hezbollah recruits Israeli spy

State prosecutors on Thursday presented a Haifa court with an indictment against detained Arab-Israeli activist Ameer Makhoul, accusing him of spying for Lebanese militants Hezbollah.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

According to the indictment, Makhoul met secretly with Hezbollah agents in Denmark in 2008. There, prosecutors allege, Makhoul agreed to spy on Israel for the Shi’a Muslim group, which gave him specific missions and equipped him with computer programs to send encrypted information over the internet.

(…)

State lawyers say both were recruited as Hezbollah spies by Hassan Geagea, a Lebanese businessman living in Jordan, whom they first contacted over funding for Arab-Israeli charities.

Under interrogation, Makhoul admitted meeting a representative of Geagea in Denmark. Last week Makhoul’s attorneys said they strongly suspected that his Shin Bet interrogators tortured him during a two-week period following his arrest in which they were denied access to him. Shin Bet denies the claims.

(more)

Source: Haaretz (English)

Denmark: Police holding proof of ROJ TV-PKK links

The Danish police have evidence of a clear link between the Kurdish Roj TV and the PKK, who are on the EU’s terror list.

For at least a year, the police have been holding photos showing top officials from ROJ TV on a secret visit to the PKK training camps. They’ve also had a witness for just as long, knowing of PKK’s funds going to ROJ TV. And yet, the station continues to broadcast with a Danish license, and no one in charge has been held accountable.

This article was prepared by the Islam in Europe blog – islamineurope.blogspot.com

Manouchehr Zonoozi (former ROJ TV director) and
Metin Yüce (ROJ NV director/Belgium) with the troops

Now Berlingske Tidende is publishing photos [see more here] and an interview with the key witness, the former director of ROJ TV Manouchehr Zonoozi. He came forward due to frustration at the police hesitation. At the same time, the police increased security around him, fearing a response from the PKK.

Manouchehr Zonoozi (former ROJ TV director) at the training camp in Kurdistan

Metin Yüce (ROJ NV director) checking out a Kalashnikov

The new information will, according to experts, shake the Kurdish community in Europe – particularly in Germany and Belgium, where for years the authorities have tried to stop the PKK’s influence and ROJ TV’s broadcasts. And the revelations can have lasting consequences for Denmark’s already tense relations with Turkey, says Turkey expert Daniella Kuzmanovic of Copenhagen University.

“Turkey will use this as an example of how the country can’t rely on Denmark’s willingness to help Turkey’s interests”.

In 2005, Turkish PM Erdogan left a press conference in Copenhagen with then Danish PM Anders Fogh Rasmussen in protest against ROJ TV’s presence, and last year Erdogan threatened to veto Rasmussen’s NATO candidacy since the Kurdish TV station continues to broadcast from Denmark.

The head of the Danish parliament’s legal affairs committee, Peter Skaarup (DPP), demands an explanation from the government. “Everybody has been looking for a link between ROJ TV and PKK. Now the police have evidence, and so it’s surprising that it hasn’t led to the matter having consequences,” he says.

The Copenhagen Police, Copenhagen prosecutor, and Justice Minister Lars Barfoed (K) have no comment. ROJ TV continues to deny any link to the PKK.

Source: Berlingske Tidende (Danish)

Related articles:

* Germany: Court suspends Kurdish TV ban

* Belgium: Police suspect PKK ran training camps

* Denmark: Kurdish fund illegally supporting ROJ TV