Immigration German citizenship test for Muslims only fuels discrimination claims

[Maciamo]

Expatica : German Muslim groups angry over 'racist' citizenship test

Blunt questions posed to Muslims seeking German citizenship in a Christian Democratic-ruled federal state are fuelling anger and the threat of discrimination lawsuits from Islamic groups.

"Where do you stand on the statement that a wife should obey her husband and that he can hit her if she fails to do so?" is among 30 questions which can be asked by officials to Muslims seeking a German passport in southern Baden-Wuerttemberg state since January 1.

Only Muslims from the 57 member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) are required to answer the questions as part of the process to become German citizens.

All other nationalities and
religions are not subject to any of the sometimes deeply personal questions which include the following:

- "Imagine that your adult son comes to you and says he is homosexual and plans to live with another man. How do you react?"

- "Your daughter or sister comes homes and says she has been sexually molested. What do you do as father/mother/brother/sister?"

- "What do you think if a man in Germany is married to two women at the same time?"

Other questions include whether Muslim men are willing to be treated by female doctors in Germany; views on forced marriage; changing religion; and whether those who carried on the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington were "terrorists or freedom fighters."

Muslim groups in Germany have reacted with outrage to the questions which they say are blatant discrimination because only people of the Islamic faith are forced to give answers.
...
Officials insist that not all applicants will be asked all of the questions.

Nevertheless, a written version of whatever questions are asked must be signed by passport applicants which concludes with a tough warning that giving "false answers ... can lead to a loss of (German) nationality, even after years, and even if this means that I will become stateless."
...

I don't see the problem, as these question raise some important issues of compatibility between religious faith and state laws. For example, Islam accepts polygamy, but German laws do not. If someone intends to become German, it is necessary that they understand fundamental laws and customs. I believe that if such a test was implemented, it is because there was a need for it - probably because problems did occur.

It's a bit too easy to claim that knowing a country's fundamental laws to take on its nationality is "discrimination". I also totally agree that "false answers should lead to a loss of (German) nationality". Already a false customs declaration as a tourist can land you in jail, so it is only natural that in an oath to adopt a country's nationality, and therefore also laws, one should not lie to the government about their intention to behave according to the law.

It may be discrimination to give this test only to Muslims, though. I would make it compulsory for all applicants.

I just hope that the question are multiple choices, and that they do not have to answer them in their own words (some would be somewhat embarassing or difficult to imagine).

 

[bossel]

I don't see the problem, as these question raise some important issues of compatibility between religious faith and state laws. For example, Islam accepts polygamy, but German laws do not.

German laws may not allow it, but if people don't expose their polygamy too much, it will be tolerated. What's more, if you're not married, no one cares with how many people you live together. Anyway, even polygamy can be accepted if the marriage was lawfully established in the country of origin.

Hence such a question would be pretty ridiculous.

If someone intends to become German, it is necessary that they understand fundamental laws and customs.

The problem is that the lawmakers who introduced this were obviously not really aware of current German laws & customs.

I believe that if such a test was implemented, it is because there was a need for it - probably because problems did occur.

Nah, it was most probably populism & blind actionism.

I also totally agree that "false answers should lead to a loss of (German) nationality".

They won't. Because the law is at least partly not compatible with the German Grundgesetz (similar to a constitution) & current German jurisprudence.
Usually in Germany (eg. in the most conservative state Bavaria), authorities send a query about applicants to the Verfassungsschutz (secret service inside Germany), if they have doubts about the law-abidingness.

I just hope that the question are multiple choices, and that they do not have to answer them in their own words

It's only an optional list of questions which may be asked by the questioning officials, only if they feel necessary. They can decide which questions to pose.

 

[Duo]

More tests like these should begin in all Western European nations. I think we have reached a point where we have realized that assuming people will integrate by themselves is no longer possible so a FUNCTIONING INTEGRATION ABIDING BY THE STANDARDS OF THE LOCAL SOCIETY must be enforced if we don't want to create split segments in society, which are btw already forming for some years now and will take work and effort to coincide from both sides. That or Europe should really start to re-think its immigration policy

 

[Maciamo]

I agree with you Duo. Britain has already introduced a Life in the United Kingdom Test (formerly called "Britishness Test") for naturalisation applicants. Requirements do not only include sufficient knowledge of the English language, like in other naturalisation tests, but also a good knowledge of the British institutions, lifestyle (e.g. how to pay a bill), culture and society.

 

[Tsuyoiko]

It may be discrimination to give this test only to Muslims, though. I would make it compulsory for all applicants.

That is exactly my reservation. There is nothing wrong with the questions, but they should be asked of everybody.

Britain has already introduced a Life in the United Kingdom Test (formerly called "Britishness Test") for naturalisation applicants.

I know a couple of people who are going to be administering these tests. They went for training last week, part of which was to attempt the test. Although they were both born here, and have lived here all their lives, they both failed

 

[bossel]

That is exactly my reservation. There is nothing wrong with the questions, but they should be asked of everybody.

Even of those who are born German? Would certainly get interesting.

I know a couple of people who are going to be administering these tests. They went for training last week, part of which was to attempt the test. Although they were both born here, and have lived here all their lives, they both failed

I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't pass any test for German citizenship based upon these questions. Would I have to be ex-Germanated?
Anyway, the questions are useless. Even before they were introduced there were already instructions around about how to pass.

 

[Tsuyoiko]

Even of those who are born German? Would certainly get interesting.

I don't suppose many born Germans would be applying for citizenship, would they?

 

[bossel]

I don't suppose many born Germans would be applying for citizenship, would they?

Equal rights for everybody, ain't it? The question is whether actual Germans would qualify, if the same stuff were applied to them.

 

[Tsuyoiko]

Equal rights for everybody, ain't it? The question is whether actual Germans would qualify, if the same stuff were applied to them.

True, and if they can't pass, kick 'em out! :evil: Then they can come here and try to do better than my friends at the UK version :evil: