• Home
• /
• Opinion

Muslims Pay for Europe’s Identity Crisis

The world, including France, is a complex, multifaceted and fascinatingly diverse place; it cannot be co-opted to fit national specificities determined by a group of irritable far right racists with a distorted interpretation of themselves and others. Unfortunately, France is not alone; it merely highlights the most obvious manifestation of growing anti-Muslim sentiments throughout Europe. Unearthing the reasons behind the disturbing phenomenon is hardly an easy task, for it arguably requires a greater examination of the political, economic and social woes of European states than it does of the ‘shortcomings’ of Islam.

Islam is a great religion in many respects; it has endured for over 1400 years. Its membership is never confined by skin color, culture, political ideology or geographic boundaries. Its views on equality, women’s rights and peace are considered progressive even by today’s standards.The detractors of Islam fail to see all this. If Islam is dissected politically or academically, the investigation is done for the sake of destroying its image, and discrediting or humiliating 
its followers. The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) may claim that its aim is to keep Switzerland secular, devoid of symbols of oppression (as in a mosque’s minaret!), but this only sounds like incoherent blabber and reflects nothing but a growing tendency towards racism, intolerance and ethnocentrism. These trends are glaring violations of the liberal philosophies associated with European countries. In France, the phenomenon is protracted and more dangerous. Considering that France is home to five million Muslims, rightwing tendencies threaten future discord in the country.

The Washington Post reported this week that Bilal Mosque, in the tranquil French town of Castres, was desecrated by unknown assailants. “Two pig’s ears and a poster of the French flag stapled to the door; a pig’s snout dangled from the doorknob. Here, one must recall the alarming words of Britain’s first Muslim minister, Shahid Malik. Himself a victim of hate crimes, Malik lamented a year and a half ago that many Muslims feel targeted like the Jews once did, and that many British Muslims feel like “aliens in their own country.” While Many Muslims share the same feeling of nationalism and patriotism in their homelands in Europe, rightwing racists — who are becoming a dominant force in various European states — insist on a very narrow definition of what makes a French, a British, a German or a Swiss.

There is indeed an identity crisis that is real and frightening. And it’s one that is not engulfing Europe alone, but also affects and in some instances has devastated many cultures all over the world.

While it is a byproduct of misguided and unchecked globalisation, in the case of Europe itself the issue is very national and very personal. The European Union has morphed into a political and pan-nationalist organization that is attempting, by accident or design, to define a united Europe and a prototypical European. This has raised fears of the loss of national identities or whatever remains of it. Expectedly, it is the politically underrepresented, socially marginalised and economically disadvantaged groups that often pay the price for this sort of national resurgence.

Targeting Muslims is a common denominator that now unifies a great proportion of European political elites and media. The reasons are numerous and obvious. Some European countries are at war in various Muslim countries; desperate and failed politicians are in need for constant distractions from their own failures and mishaps; associating Islam with terrorism is more than an acceptable intellectual diatribe, a topic of discussion that has occupied more radio and television airtime than any other; also, pushing Muslims around seems to have few political repercussions — unlike the subjugation of targeting of other groups with political or economic clout.

But is there more to this? A 2007-08 Gallup poll asked the following question: does religion occupy an important place in your life? The vast majority in Western European countries answered with a resounding “no”. Eric Besson, the country’s Immigration Minister, stated on December 16 that Muslim veils will be grounds of denying citizenships and long-term residence. Besson was only echoing the disquieting policies of President Sarkozy who has started a ‘national identity campaign’ — one that is preoccupied with the targeting of immigrants, particularly Muslims.

Sarkozy, Besson, and Europe’s rightwing politicians must understand the possible ramifications if they continue to press with their reckless and 
alienating policies.

Radicalisation is an unavoidable offshoot of group alienation, which is sadly being used to further fuel the anti-immigrant fervor throughout the continent. It is a vicious cycle, the blame for which lies squarely with the savvy politicians and their obvious agendas. As for those who insist on blaming Islam for Europe’s woes, they should really find another pastime; the self-indulgent game is too hazardous and must stop.

Ramzy Baroud (www.ramzybaroud.net) is an internationally-syndicated columnist and the editor of PalestineChronicle.com. For feedback, write to 
opinion@khaleejtimes.com