7.5 Islamic Contemporary issues in Europe

It should be noted that Muslim communities in Europe constitutes minorities living among the Christian majority beside other ethnic and religious groups. The contemporary issues can be classified into categories: Firstly, the attitude of majority towards Muslims as a minority in a non-Muslim country. Secondly, how Muslim coexist with their values and religious teachings in non-Muslim Communities. In Islam, the significance and valuation for human rights and dignity can be found throughout the Qur'an, and throughout other religious texts. In matters of faith, the language is explicit and unequivocal: "There is no compulsion in religion; Truth stands out clear from Error." (2:256). Thus, the rights of Muslims and non-Muslims alike in expressions of faith is guaranteed, not only in theory but in practice as the Qur'an states: "O you who believe! Be ever Steadfast in your devotion to God, bearing witness to the truth in all equity; and never let the hatred of others lead you into the sin of deviating from justice. Be just: This is the closest to being conscious of God." (5:81), Yet it is hatred and rage that is at the root of anti-Muslim sentiment and violence plaguing Europe today.

The status of Muslims in Europe is precarious, for they represent a group that is viewed as alien, unacknowledged, or threatening throughout the region. Racist tendencies fueled by paranoia regarding Islamic extremism have rendered Europe hostile, unresponsive to, and in violation of the human rights of Muslims. In an interfaith meeting in Rome last summer with Father General Kastalneck of the Jesuit Order of the Catholic Church, it was made clear that "Europe has a problem with Islam." Indeed, the problem is the historical baggage carried by Europe with respect to the Middle East, dating back to the Crusades and the Inquisition. At that time, Muslims were uniformly stereotyped as infidels and violent barbarians. Unfortunately, time has not significantly altered these misperceptions.

7.5 Islamic Contemporary issues in Europe

Genocide, mass killings, forced migration, torture, and rape

Clearly, the most significant tragedy in Europe since the Holocaust was the war in the former Yugoslavia where Bosnian Muslims were the victims of a widespread, government sponsored campaign of ethnic cleansing by Serbian armed forces and civilians. Neighboring European nations as well as the US justified their inaction and lack of involvement by claiming that the conflict was motivated along ethnic lines: yet Serbian leaders such as Slobodan Milosevic and Radovan Karadzic used anti-Islamic rhetoric to fan the flames of hatred that allowed 200,000 Bosnian Muslims to be slaughtered, over 1 million expelled from their homes and communities, 20,000 women raped and countless more civilians, men, women and children to endure physical and psychological trauma. At the time when the international community chose not to act, many felt that if the victims had been Christian or Jewish then intervention would not have been delayed. Current focus on the persecution of Christians, receiving support in Congress for severe response to similar crimes lends credence to this view of a double standard for the protection of some religious minorities to the exclusion of others.

Police Brutality

Reports of police brutality against Muslim minorities including assault, verbal abuse, murder and other degrading treatment that qualifies as torture are clearly documented in Europe, particularly in Germany, France and the United Kingdom. The depth and severity of police brutality is only slightly outdone by the atrocities committed by right-wing extremists.

7.5 Islamic Contemporary issues in Europe

Citizenship

In many countries throughout Europe, Muslims encounter difficulties in obtaining citizenship. This is especially problematic in Germany and United Kingdom.

Employment

In Greece, members of the Muslim minority from Thrace are commonly discriminated against as they are confined to low level, low paying jobs. They encounter difficulties obtaining licenses to operate businesses.

In Serbia and Montenegro, Muslims and ethnic Albanians are frequently fired from their jobs based on religion and ethnicity. Similar difficulties are encountered by Chechens and other Muslim minorities in Russia.

Military

In Bulgaria, Muslims are not allowed to participate in regular military units; rather, they are assigned to maintenance and construction. In Greece, Muslims are prevented from advancing in rank in the military.