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.”
Ping to buy this book -- history no one ever taught me.
Except for Jews, of course.
Read your Old Testament ... Read your New Testament
=====
I kinda figure that TravisK does NOT read the Christian Bible.
That is to say, he reads the Koran... the Muzzle-em BuyBull !!! ;-))
I caught that too. He belongs over at DU. No. Check that. Correction. Get him a camel flight to Mecca on the Camels R Us airline where the pilots have no training in landing a 737 jet aircraft; other than stopping in the side of a building.
"Don't call me Shirley!" /laughter
Europe doesn't have such a hot track-record when it comes to dealing with religions they don't like.
Seems the western world is on a slippery slope here; thanks to much of it embracing the 'socialist world view[ - their political MO; including PC as well.
The Muslim imigrants in Holland and elsewhere in socialist Europe are not allowed to work; in many cases, for two years after entering country (assume the argument is that it would displace the citizen worker); the reason offered by this analyst is that it insures that when immigrants are ready to vote. . .they will vote for the Socialist Party they have come to depend on; for their 'caring/compassionate'. . .lenient immigration policy; and the 'dependent network' they provide the newest arrivals. (sound familiar?)
These people are not required to learn the language or in anyway, encouraged to assimilate - (not sure about the 'would if they could' here. . .) but these policies create a restless, dependent. . .drifting population and results in a serious increase in crime. (sound familiar?)
When crimes occur. . .the Socialist leadership will not go to the heart of the matter; but rather, go to the Party-serving MO - the'politically-correct' response. The perp is the victim. . .the community just needs to care/do more to accomodate them.
And of course, this 'empathy' again; insures a voting block that supports the socialist leadership. Sound familiar?
The evil that Socialism cultivates is an evil that takes many forms. . .and unless some changes appear on the European horizon. . .the slippery slope that can lead to hell will continue to accomodate those who determinedly set upon it. It has before. . . it can again. . .
Bush/America continue to lead. . .but we must do even more. The assaults from the 'Left' here at home and from our 'friends', across Europe must be continually dealt with. Our slippery slope is scary enough already.
How much do you know about Islam? It's the same thing as Christianity for the most part. The only thing different about it is that it is mainly located in a region that has been exploding with civil wars and violence for the past 2000 years. Also, the Nazis did have a reason to fear the jews. The jews were often blamed for riots, murder, intolerance, and animalistic behaviour, the same thing we do to the Islamic population. Are there violent/extremist Islam organizations out there? Yes. Should we kill the majority because of the minority? No. If you do believe so, then we might as well nuke Texas because there have been far more Americans murdered there than terrorists have ever been able to kill.
Secondly, I say 'you people' because I do not believe any of you to be actual conservatives. You claim to be moral, but then you choose war over peace, intolerance over acceptance, choose social good over liberty, and buy into the left/right paradigm that is infecting this country's ability to mantain peace and prosperity. I am anti-gun control, I am pro-life, I am against homosexuality, I have read the Constitution and value it highly, and I prefer to preserve life, liberty, and freedom in the face of any threat. If you all want to commit genocide and call it god's will, then go ahead. But don't think I won't try and stop you.
Actually, to be more accurate, we view Islam the same way we viewed Nazism.
How are Christianity and islam 'alike'?
Series. I asked one woman from Hoboken what "yous" meant. And she said it was plural for "you."
I shi'ite you knot!
Then again, give it time and the word will be in the dictionary. Depending, of course on what language we end up speaking here in the USA...
Nonsense,, troll. How many Christian suicide bombers do you hear of? How many Christian plots do you hear of to kill 3000+ people at a time?
Funny but the Muslims wholeheartedly supported the Kaiser and Hitler. They presented Hiller with gift divisions of fully trained and equipped SS troops. They vied for and succeeded in running the Extermination Camps and toss Jews, Christians, dissidents and unfortunates up the chimney.
Seems to me you are making the wrong connection to totalitarianism. The Muslims aided our enemies and attacked us; not the opposite as you suggest. Islam was born and invented as a war banner. They choose their own alliegence and consequences. We are here to deliver the consequences.
Have you ever read the Koran ?
Ah yes. Your true nature reveals itself.
And I bet you blame women for their rapes, too. After all, she was asking for it, dressed like that, wasn't she?
You are screaming at the deaf. TravisK just got done implying the Jews were to blame for their own genocide.
He claims to be a conservative, but he is more properly called a Neo-Nazi.
Would a poll like appear in the MSM in the USA? or would fear of the PC police stop it?
He don't like us Joooooooos too much.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.