PRESSURE TO ASSIMILATE: To what degree, and at what expense, do South-East Asian Muslims integrate into Scandinavian society

Abstract: A look at to what degree SE Asian Muslims (Indonesians and Malaysians) are willing to compromise their Islamic beliefs in the Nordic countries. To integrate into Danish society, how much, if any, of their religion/traditions do Indonesian/Malay Muslims give up to "be Danish"? Through a comprehensive questionnaire sent out to Indonesian and Malaysian Muslims living in the Nordic countries, as well as group and individual interviews, it was found that nearly no Malaysians and Indonesians were interested in participating in the questionnaire. Ten agreed to be interviewed in person. According to the findings, the majority of SE Asian Muslims is living in an isolated, parallel society within Denmark. A "Vicious Cycle of Muslim non-Assimilation" was found of which both sides, Danes and Muslims, play a part. Since South East Asian Muslims are, what I like to call, the "Forgotten Muslims of Europe", the literature available is sparse indeed; hence, much of my information comes from up-to-date reliable news and governmental Internet sources. This report is an attempt to localise the existing barriers between Danes and immigrants.