Posted on 12/19/2004 8:55:22 AM PST by Pikamax
Muslims face rising suspicion in Europe John Elliott
EUROPE’S reputation as a tolerant haven for people of all religions may be under threat. Muslims are apparently being viewed with high levels of disapproval, a survey has revealed.
Sweden emerges as the most pessimistic west European nation; 75% of Swedes questioned said there is “definitely a lot” or “rather a lot” of disapproval of Muslims.
Britain is relatively tolerant. Just 39% of respondents said they believed that a significant number of people were opposed to Muslims.
The survey was conducted in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the Madrid train bombings to examine religious attitudes. Researchers asked 1,000 people in 19 European countries: “Do you think nowadays there is a lot of, a little of, or no disapproval of Muslims living in European society”.
In Holland, 72% said there was a lot of disapproval of Muslims and in Denmark the figure was 67%. On average, 52% of people interviewed across western Europe believed that there was large-scale unhappiness about Muslims.
An estimated 13m Muslims live in the 25 countries of the European Union. On top of fears over Al-Quaeda attacks, tensions have risen in countries such as Holland where Theo van Gogh, the radical film-maker, was stabbed to death by an Islamic extremist. This was followed by at least 13 arson attacks on mosques, churches and Islamic schools across the country.
The study also suggests that anti-semitism has increased; 30% of those questioned believed that it had risen in their country over the past five years, 35% thought there had been no change and 14% believed it had fallen. In Britain 34% of those asked believed there was more anti-semitism while 49% felt there had been no change and 17% thought it had declined.
Mark Hofmans of GfK Worldwide, the German market research company that prepared the report with The Wall Street Journal, said he had been surprised by the results.
“Most shocking were the results about anti-semitism and attitudes towards Muslims, which were much more negative than we expected and widespread, too,” he said.
Chowdhury Mueen-Uddin, deputy director of the Islamic Foundation, a Leicester-based centre that promotes understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims, said the study “reflects the general perception now prevalent in our society”.
He added: “Anyone who has the wellbeing of society uppermost in his mind cannot but feel deeply concerned at these findings. Being a Muslim I am worried that Europe is replacing its anti-semitism with yet another cancer — Islamophobia. There is nothing worse than the feeling that you are not trusted or are viewed with suspicion by your neighbours and fellow citizens.”
He added that Muslims viewed Britain more positively than other countries in Europe: “We feel we are much better treated here than anywhere else — the society as a whole is much fairer than the other European countries.
“In France for example (Muslim girls) are denied wearing the hijab in schools and in Germany, while the Turkish population have been living there for more than 30 years, they are still treated as guest workers and not allowed to be part of mainstream society.”
Azher Basharat, 35, a shop worker and devout Muslim from Forest Gate, east London, said: “Things have got a little worse since September 11, but in the main things are fine. People in Britain are very tolerant.
“What has changed, though, is that some people look at us with greater suspicion. You can see it in their faces — they look a little uneasy. I’ve not been attacked or anything, though — and I can’t remember anyone saying anything racist or Islamophobic to me.”
Do you think there is the smallest, slightest and the most remote possiblity the Muslims might have brought this upon themselves, by their own actions? I surely do.
Stop telling us how good you are.
Show us!
My tolerance level for islam is no secret: 0.0%.
Same as for killers, rapists, Creators of spam.
Having said that, I condemn the connection that is never made regarding anti-semitism:
The muslims are hated for being murdering animals on two legs.
The Jews are hated and condemned for attracting the murdering hatred of the muslims! Don't expect to see that reality expressed in writing or in polls any time soon.
I find it funny that people with no brains can't distinguish an opinion, and an ignorant one at that, from moral grandstanding with an asinine comparison.
Thanks for the reminder.
It just joined my "Morons to ignore list".
. . .it would help a great deal; if the 'good Muslims of the world - wherever they live - would speak out. . .condemn those who terrorize, brutalize and kill, in the name of Allah.
Their silence - if even from fear - communcates, rightly or wrongly at first assumption; a tacit approval.
This does not help in any way build trust, understanding or friendship.
I find it funny how you people view islam the same way the Nazis viewed judaism.
You people?
Actually I view Islam the same way jews view Nazis.
I think it's more like "Godwin's opinion"..
I don't recall anyone enacting it as law... (/smartass remark )
. . .Islam offers a circular argument however. . .the religion of peace does have a 'peaceful message' to believers - to believers/followers of Allah.
OTOH. . .the rest of the world's 'non-Allah, spiritual community'are viewed as 'infidels' - a fact that no matter how you try and slice it; leaves the Muslim and his religion- as one and inseparable (including as well, the crimes thus committed against 'infidels')
"The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of a distinct 'Palestinian people' to oppose Zionism."
PLO executive committee member Zahir Muhsein, March 31, 1977
Time for the Muslim Waffen SS pictures (worth 1000 words, at least!):
A picture taken in 1943 of the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin el-Husseini reviewing Bosnian-Muslim troops - a unit of the "Hanjar (Saber) Division" of the Waffen SS which he personally recruited for Hitler.
What is NOT taught in history class in US schools today is nothing short of amazing! 
TravisK is just here to shake us all up.
I have no "toleration" for those who plan to take over my country and turn it into a replica of the dungheap they left and plan to offer me the "choice" of conversion or death. Toleration for those who, if and when they take over, will enslave or kill me is not a strength but a weakness.
Muslims aren't detested and feared around the world for "no" reasons.
*Pi$$ In His Face
A true Patriot! Thanks for speaking out on the evils of moose limbism.
Can you define "you people"?
Bloody pig eaters.
=====
Ummmm.... I kinda, sorta, hafta, shooda, wooda, cooda, boota,
rooda, fooda, pooda, mooda, zooda ... dammit, eye fur got wut
eye wuz gunna say!!!
Oh yeah... the Muzzle-em BuyBull (Koran) teaches 'em that us
Infidels iz justa buncha sub-human monkeys and pigs!!!
Sooooo... ifn dey iz "Bloody pig eaters" lyke ewe sez, den duz
dat meen dat after dey chops off are heds dey den eet zus fur
dinur???
Note: If you are experiencing some degree of difficulty reading
the above text... ewe needzta studeee air-a-bick more better !!! ;-))
How do you view islam?
Perhaps to can bring a new perspective to the discussion. Please educate us, (formally known as you people), on your view of islam. I see that you did not capitalize islam so perhaps you might not respect the cult. Let us hear of your tolerance.
Wow..that was perfect!
You people?
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Geez... nunna use gize noze howta spel... itz "Ewe Pee Pull" !!! ;-))
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