–Europe's Tolerance May Soon End

Anti-Islamic Wave Rises in Europe
By Selcuk Gultasli

The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) has declared that an anti-Islamic wave has risen in Europe since September 11, and Muslims have been exposed to increasing discrimination.

The IHF report "Intolerance and Discrimination Against Muslims in the EU - Developments Since September 11" evaluates the developments in 11 European Union (EU) member countries including Greece. The report pointed out that Muslims in Europe have started to be seen as the "enemies within" and insults and aggression against Muslims have increased. The report made the point that the European media has played a part in this discrimination. The headscarf ban in France caused rising prejudice against Muslims and an increase in the number of incidents of discrimination has been recorded. The report points out that 80 percent of Germans identify the word Islam with "terror" and "pressure on women", and that in many countries including Sweden one in five people with Arabic sounding names, find closed doors for employment opportunities. It is also noted in the report that the Greek Orthodox Church has hampered construction of a mosque in Athens. The IHF warned that the rise of anti-Islamism is a blow to integration efforts, and warns that some Muslims who are excluded in European societies are more likely to join terror organizations.