Danish Protest Over Plans For Soldiers In Turbans

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 7-12-2002 | Julian Isherwood

[blam]

Danish protest over plans for soldiers in turbans

By Julian Isherwood in Copenhagen
(Filed: 12/07/2002)

Plans to let ethnic and religious minorities wear traditional clothes while serving in Denmark's armed forces have provoked a row.

The controversy arose after the nation's defence staff said it was considering a change in practices to allow for the ethnic and religious requirements of its soldiers.

The Right-wing People's Party, a key part of the ruling coalition, was outraged that Sikh turbans, Jewish skull caps and Islamic scarves would be acceptable. A government target calls for 3.2 per cent of employees in Danish public service to be of immigrant origin. Fewer than one per cent of those serving in the armed forces are from immigrant groups.

"What is the defence staff thinking? Haven't they realised that the armed forces, more than any other group, should be a 100 per cent loyal picture of Danishness," said a People's Party spokesman, Peter Skaarup.

"Within Nato, Danish troops defend western interests as a whole," he added. "It is a fact that those interests are founded in the Christian belief and the Christian way of life. It would be very dangerous if we were in conflict with the Muslim nations and there was a fifth column in our defence force which had access to arsenals and knowledge of strategic planning."

He said that he had demanded that the defence staff immediately stop further discussions on the issue.

Ulrik Kragh, defence spokesman for the ruling Liberal Party, agreed, saying: "The idea of a uniform is that everyone is the same."

Svend Aage Jensby, the defence minister, said he supported the recommendations, which might also extend to burial practices.

Any consideration given to religions, he said, "will be within the confines of military law and practice.

"But it will also mean that ethnic immigrant employees are met with openness and a respect for the values and norms which they bring to the armed forces."

The Danish government is at pains to appear open towards immigrants and integration after widespread criticism of its harsh new immigration legislation.

The legislation is designed to stop non-European immigration and asylum-seekers. The new laws allow only those non-Europeans who are over 24 to marry and move to Denmark. They extend from three years to seven years the period required to achieve permanent residency and require a £5,000 deposit if non-Europeans wish to move to Denmark.

The military proposals are now to be sent to hearings in the various armed forces committees before a final proposal is put forward.

But the government will try not to alienate the People's Party, because the prime minister, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, would lose his majority without its parliamentary support.

[Hugin]

I just saw a story of a Muslim woman suing to be allowed to wear "traditional Muslim garb" while serving as a Chicago cop. In Florida another Muslim woman was issued a drivers license with her face covered by a full burka. Time to draw the line on this insanity.

[sheik yerbouty]

I thought it was a movie like "Men in Tights".

[Hila]

Be traditional at your own countries of origin; while in America, adapt or leave. Their so-called religious observances are a way for muslims to impose their beliefs on the rest of the world. Remember they are the super intolerants.

[norton]

I seem to remember, from way back when, that Denmark went through the same agonies over allowing their GI's to wear hair nets on the 'job' so their faux'fros and pony tails would not be all messed up ...

Not to mention the glaring fact that with their relative numbers ..."A government target calls for 3.2 per cent of employees in Danish public service to be of immigrant origin. (&) Fewer than one per cent of those serving in the armed forces are from immigrant groups." These clowns cannot possibly grasp the impact of 40% of the populace wanting Spanish as the primary language or 15% wanting reparations, or thousands of Muslims expecting to be lotteried into citizenship, towel and all...

Then, there is the real [liberal, elitist, racist, condescending, we know what's best for you..] definitive statement: "What is the defence staff thinking? Haven't they realised that the armed forces, more than any other group, should be a 100 per cent loyal picture of Danishness,"

A loyal picture of Danishness cannot be anything other than .... what?

[norton]

None of the above suggests that I disagree in any way with post Nr 4 and others - only that it is different to deny someone for their origin or faith or looks than it is [would be] to deny them because they insist on bringing their third world, failed, culture along with them, then force it on the rest of us because 'all things are equal' when the key would be to accept the challenge of joining with us.