Muslims Must Not Pay Price for Europe’s Identity Crisis by Ramzy Baroud
It seems that the targeting of Muslims and Islam has become a kind of national theater in France. Unlike theater,
however, the disturbing trend can, and will turn ugly – in fact to a degree it already has – if the French government
doesn’t get a grip on reality. 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 phenomena 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 of antiquity, on equality, women 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 repute, and discrediting or humiliating its followers.
The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) may claim that their commitment 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, which guarantee individual and collective rights, including those of self-expression
and freedom of speech.
In France, the phenomenon is protracted and more dangerous. Considering that France is the home of five million French
Muslims, rightwing tendencies threaten future discord in the country.
The Washington Post reported on December 19 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. ‘White power’ and ‘Sieg heil’ were spray-painted on one side…and ‘France for the French’ on the other.”
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 of Europe”, 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 unfortunately becoming a dominant force in shaping public views 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 globalization, in the case of Europe itself the issue is very national and very personal. The European
Union, which started as a purely economic body 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
marginalized and economically disadvantaged groups that often pay the price of 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 (which they have chosen) 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 their 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”. Only 9 percent of Turkish
citizens – a country with a Muslim majority – shared the popular view. Most European Muslims strongly identify with
their religion, which has preserved their sense of community, and helped maintain a degree of cultural cohesion and a
semblance of collective identity at a time when many in Europe are losing theirs. Muslims must not be blamed for this
loss, and nor should they be punished, derided or targeted for daring to hold onto their beliefs.
Returning again to France, what is most alarming about the anti-Muslim measures is that they are largely led by the
government itself, rather than a fanatical group of disenchanted ideologues. 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 conservative president Nicolas Sarkozy who has started a ‘national
identity campaign’ for ensuring an exclusive identity of France - one that is occupied with the targeting of immigrants,
particularly Muslims.
Sarkozy, Besson, and Europe’s rightwing and far right politicians must understand the possible ramifications if they
continue to press with their reckless and alienating policies.
Radicalization 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. His latest book is "My Father Was
a Freedom Fighter: Gaza's Untold Story" (Pluto Press, London), now available on Amazon.com.