Balkans | The rise of Islamophobia in Europe threatens life together

The recent increase in racism and hate speech against Islam and Muslims in Europe threatens the culture of living together in peace.

According to the report prepared by the “Group of Independent Experts on Anti-Muslim” and published by the German Ministry of the Interior in June, a third of Muslims in Germany, numbering 5.5 million, are subjected to attacks because of their religion.

According to the report, the Muslim population in Germany is one of the religious minorities most exposed to racial discrimination and hate speech.

Abdul Hamid Al-Hamdi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hamed Bin Khalifa Civilization Center in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, said, in a statement to the AA correspondent, that “this report prepared specifically for Muslims in Germany reflects the similar situation in almost all of Europe.”

The rise of far-right parties fuels racism

Noting that the growing “Islamophobia” in Europe manifests itself in many ways, Hamdi said he finds it difficult to find a home and a job because of his name, appearance or origin. Veiled women have become targets of racism, either through rhetoric directed at them or through oppression and harassment,” he said.

“Racism has reached higher levels than before, with the rise of far-right parties in most European countries that are anti-Muslim.” Hamdy emphasized that this approach has been adopted by many political and social organizations in Europe.

Referring to Geert Wilders, leader of the Party for Freedom (PVV) in the Netherlands, Hamdi said: “Wilders and his party often mock Muslims in the Netherlands. He uses most of his social media posts to mobilize his supporters and incite them against Muslims.” He said.

Hamdi said Wilders increased the dose of his attacks so much that he planned to organize a cartoon contest insulting the Prophet Muhammad to incite Muslims in the Netherlands, but he abandoned this plan at the last minute to protect the safety of his party members.

Double standards applied to refugees

Pointing out that a large proportion of Muslims obtained citizenship in the countries in which they live, Hamdi said: “Hate speech has reached record levels, which has deepened the ethnic and religious division between Europeans. This dangerous development threatens coexistence in European countries.” He said.

Pointing out that the Ukraine war shed light on racism towards European Muslims, Hamdi said that this can be seen in the European media’s view of Ukrainian refugees.

Hamdy said:

“Unfortunately, Ukrainian refugees were recognized as European and very different from refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Middle Eastern countries. The statements of European leaders also played a role in developing hate speech against Muslims. “Ukrainian refugees are not the kind of refugees we are used to, they are European, cultured and educated,” former Bulgarian Prime Minister Kirill Petkov said. The Telegraph newspaper secretly attacked refugees from the Middle East, writing that Ukrainian refugees are civilized, and they have accounts on Instagram, And they vote in the elections.”

The achievements of Muslims infuriate extremists

Describing the burning of the Holy Qur’an by Silwan Momica, who resides in Sweden under police protection in front of a Stockholm mosque on the first day of Eid al-Adha, as a “failed attempt to stir up the feelings of Muslims,” Hamdi made the following assessment against the background of these events, which were repeated in Denmark, the Netherlands, and previously in various ways in France:

“The common point in these events is Islamophobia and the desire to prevent the influx of immigrants, especially Muslims, into Europe. What drives these people into madness and tantrums is that mosques are overflowing with madrasas and Islamic schools are remarkably successful.”

Hamdi indicated that this anti-Islam campaign reached its climax after many athletes were subjected to racist chants and insults because of their race, religion and skin color, and petitions were signed not to sign contracts with some Muslim athletes.

Referring to the role of Muslims in Europe in combating hate speech, Hamdi said that they are trying to reflect the civilized image of Islam that refutes the discourses and narratives of extremists and fanatics.

The reactions forced the Swedish government to “apologise”

Hamdy argued that the Muslim reaction to the burning of the Qur’an went beyond an outcry and prompted the Swedish government to issue an official apology.

Hamdi pointed out that Muslims are trying to provoke them and drag them into a quagmire of chaos while disrespecting the Qur’an, noting that the “civilized” response of Muslims in Europe to these attacks and their behavior within the framework of the law is commendable.

Anticipating that the radicals’ provocations will increase in the coming days after these failed attempts, Hamdi urged Muslims not to fall into the trap of hate-mongers, to be vigilant and not to give an opportunity to those who monitor the mistakes of Muslims in Europe by acting within the framework of the law.

AA