Nationality and Cases of Statelessness in the Middle East and North Africa 3.1.1. Nationality by parentage (jus sanguinis) The countries of the MENA region are united in their preference for the doctrine of jus sanguinis: nationality is transmitted through the “bloodline”, from parent to child. This is the main method of acquiring a nationality at birth in the region. As such, precedence is given to the familial link – the family bond with a person who is already a national – as the decisive condition for membership of the state. This approach sits comfortably in both the religious and cultural setting of the MENA, which places great emphasis on the role of the family and great value in the ties of kinship, as well as notions of tribal belonging.99 All MENA countries recognise the paternal jus sanguinis in their nationality laws, reflecting the traditional perception that a person’s political identity is determined through the paternal line of descent.100 Thus, a father can pass his nationality to his children, whether they are born within the country or abroad. In almost all cases, the acquisition of the father’s nationality happens automatically and will not require any action on the part of the state or 99 - G. Parolin, Citizenship in the Arab World. Kin, Religion and Nation State, Amsterdam University Press, 2009. 100 - S. Joseph, “Gendering Citizenship in the Middle East” in S. Joseph (ed.) Gender and Citizenship in the Middle East, Syracuse University Press, 2000, at pages 17-18. See also N. Hijab, “Women Are Citizens Too: The Laws of the State, the Lives of Women”, United Nations Development Programme – Regional Bureau for Arab States, 2002. 84