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.”
What is Europe going to do to stop this infestation before they are all swallowed up?!......with the remnants yelling across the pond for our help again for the 3rd time in less than 100 years. This time, it won't be as "easy" as defeating Hitler and Nazism! It will be much harder, if we still have the same 5th column which exists in the form of the Michael Moores among us, when the S.O.S. comes from Europe.
Char
It's gonna be tough to blame America for this one.
Nope. Isn't it obvious? America stirred up the normally peaceful muslims in Europe and elsewhere by supporting that "shitty little country", Israel. It's all our fault. Everything is our fault, which conveniently lets them off the hook of responsibility for anything.
bump
i hear you. . .
. . .and nonetheless a refreshing confirmation from a Euopean, yet; that Liberalism there; as here; is the source of every cultural and political scourge.
And a reminder to anyone who needs it; ie the 'Travis K's' of the world. . .WHY we do not appease these people.
Why do the hate the Jews? It wasn't them that killed Van Gough(sp?). Or threating to kill everybody and their brother. What dumb-a**es they are.
We wanna kill them...and they wanna kill us.
Islamic terrorism pays off.
Man -- Europe is just an 'Eiffel Tower-on-fire' away from pitchfork & lantern time.
The, but, Islam is the religion of peace kind. It never fails.
btt
Smooth talker.
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.