Comments on: Assimilation or Not? http://xrdarabia.org/2006/08/29/assimilation-or-not/ Informed comment and commentary about Saudi Arabia, reform, and its relations with the US Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:55:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: John http://xrdarabia.org/2006/08/29/assimilation-or-not/comment-page-1/#comment-1754 John Thu, 31 Aug 2006 13:41:01 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=1965#comment-1754 I certainly agree that accepting the fact of local norms is part of assimilation. I don't insist that someone shake hands--though they do need to know that they will cause offense by that refusal. And I agree that knowing and using the local language is absolutely necessary. I certainly agree that accepting the fact of local norms is part of assimilation. I don’t insist that someone shake hands–though they do need to know that they will cause offense by that refusal. And I agree that knowing and using the local language is absolutely necessary.

]]> By: european native http://xrdarabia.org/2006/08/29/assimilation-or-not/comment-page-1/#comment-1753 european native Thu, 31 Aug 2006 11:28:04 +0000 http://xrdarabia.org/?p=1965#comment-1753 You write "Assimilation does not mean becoming a stereotypical American" The problem is, what does assimilation mean? Passing through the melting pot? That's what wikipedia seems to say: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_assimilation Whereas "integration" is the salad-bowl-concept? This is not just about words! Turkish and muslim associations in Germany complain that they would be asked to assimilate instead of integrate. They make it sound like they are asked to change name, bleach their hair and put on blue contact lenses. Rarely a politician dares to use the term anymore! On the other hand, in the name of integration, those associations seem to ask for collective rights, and consider not breaking the law of the land their only "duty" of integration. So what about refusing to shake hands with women, not speaking the local language, establishing secret madrassas? Religious hate speech? Collecting money for Hizbollah? Gender apartheid? Telling your children whom to marry? Going to the Imam instead of the local court in cases of conflict? As long as you are not convicted, is all this allowed and perfectly OK? 'I have a right to be a Muslim, and I don't have to assimilate.' That summs up the whole problem in one sentence... the rest is a question of scale. You write “Assimilation does not mean becoming a stereotypical American”
The problem is, what does assimilation mean? Passing through the melting pot? That’s what wikipedia seems to say:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_assimilation
Whereas “integration” is the salad-bowl-concept?

This is not just about words!

Turkish and muslim associations in Germany complain that they would be asked to assimilate instead of integrate. They make it sound like they are asked to change name, bleach their hair and put on blue contact lenses. Rarely a politician dares to use the term anymore!

On the other hand, in the name of integration, those associations seem to ask for collective rights, and consider not breaking the law of the land their only “duty” of integration.

So what about refusing to shake hands with women, not speaking the local language, establishing secret madrassas?
Religious hate speech? Collecting money for Hizbollah? Gender apartheid? Telling your children whom to marry? Going to the Imam instead of the local court in cases of conflict?

As long as you are not convicted, is all this allowed and perfectly OK?

‘I have a right to be a Muslim, and I don’t have to assimilate.’

That summs up the whole problem in one sentence… the rest is a question of scale.

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