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.”
Mohammedanism is a curse for the Western world. After 9/11, 3/11 and the brutal attack on Van Gogh it should be clear that this demonic cult has to erradicated.
Well, from there it's only 10 years or so before they begin doing something about it.
If they have 10 years...
It's gonna be tough to blame America for this one.
I find it funny how you people view islam the same way the Nazis viewed judaism. Last time I checked, god was against evil men, not the religions they followed.
"Being a Muslim I am worried that Europe is replacing its anti-semitism with yet another cancer — Islamophobia."
A word of advice to you, my fine young follower of Mohammed *(PIHF), when you see your European hosts begin to build gas chambers and ovens, run, don’t walk, to the nearest mode of rapid transportation and leave town, never to return.
*Pi$$ In His Face
Last time I checked, Jews in Europe in the 1930's were not running around beheading infidels, blowing up train stations and beer halls, cutting their own daughters' throats, assassinating people who wrote books or made movies they didn't like, and claiming that they were doing it all in the name of their religion.
In other words, Nazis viewed Judaism the same way that Muslims view Europeans and Americans.
BTW, the mohammedans view 'judaism' the exact same way as hitler did. I find it amusing how you people seem to foget that little factoid.
~ and ~
Ummmm, no; no it's not. I won't go into *what it is*, as I'd probably get in trouble... aw, what the heck:
Islam, The Cult of Murder™.
Islam, The Cult of Terror™.
Islam, The Cult of Boy-Buggering™.
Islam, The Cult of Women-Chattelling™.
Islam, The Cult of Horror™.
Islam, The Cult of Rape™.
Islam, The Cult of Ritual Killing™.
Islam, The Cult of Beheading™.
Islam, The Cult of Deviants™.
Islam, The Cult of Hate™.
Islam, The Cult of Lies™.
Islam, The Cult of Female Mutilation™.
Islam, The Cult of Death™.
Islam, The Cult of Christian & Jew Killing™.
Islam, The Cult of Infidel Murder™.
Islam, The Cult of The Mentally-Ill™.
Islam, the Cult of Evil™.
Islam, the Cult of Poverty™.
Islam, the Cult of Illiteracy™.
Islam, the Religion of Peace™, and THEY'LL KILL YOU TO PROVE IT!
I think Britains are concerned with getting charged with a crime if they tell a pollster how they really feel about muslims.
Surprise, surprise!
Ta-ta.
It is a little scary to read some of the stuff we write about islam. Nonetheless something will have to be done. No muslims in America (or anywhere else) are rising up and denouncing the fellow members of their religion who have commited over 80% of the terror attacks in the world in the past thirty years.
Since its conception they have been at war with everyone including themselves. They cannot live in peace for long. Some changes will have to be made in the world to stop islam from killing everyone who does not bow down to allah. If it means freedom of religion in America has to take on a new meaning so be it.
Hey, at least they're not Yanks.
"I find it funny how you people view islam the same way the "Nazis viewed judaism. Last time I checked, god was against evil men, not the religions they followed."
Last time I checked, judaism never called for murdering non-jews through beheadings before the war. Last time I checked Jews weren't mass murdering and committing suicide bombings and slaughtering school children while crying Yaweh is Great before WWII. God is against evil men who have an evil religion.
I can think of worse things.
How about his neighbors worrying about their child's bus blowing up, or their wife or daughter receiving the gang-rape they deserve for going out without a male escort?
Well golly gee, I wonder why people view Muslems negatively? Maybe because they kill thousands of innocent people every year in the name of their god? Ya think? Nah, it couldn't be because they are murdering in the name of spreading their beliefs? 'Follow our will and decisions or we will torture and kill you' might be an attitude they want to change if they want their poll numbers to go up.
Bloody pig eaters.
"Camp Of The Saints"
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