Are all immigration laws in EU countries somehow consisit, or developing towards consistence, or are there major differences between EU countries' immigration laws?
Answer
EU countries are beginning to unify these laws, yet they still have their differences in terms of their perceptions and dealing with the respective Muslim communities, especially in the UK, Austria, or the Scandinavian countries. They have a very open-minded approach towards Muslims. They see Muslims as an enrichment rather than a threat.
Other countries, such as France, Belgium, and parts of Germany, still don't look to the Muslim community as a positive, integral part of society.
Name
AElfwine
- Egypt
Profession
editor
Question
As-Salamu `alaykum. My question is not about the immigration laws but about laws affecting human rights. Are you or any Muslim organizations aware that the UN High Commission on Human Rights will be meeting in Geneva starting March 14, and that it is expected that it will vote on defining gay rights as human rights? This "Sexual Orientation Resolution" was narrowly defeated last year, and the pro-gay lobby will be fighting hard. Are Muslims in Europe going to do anything to fight this? You also have the problem that some countries (such as Sweden) have not only legalized homosexuality but made it illegal to speak out against it. What are European Muslims doing about these issues?
Answer
European Muslims have to look into things from a minority point of view. They have to realize that if they ask for minority rights, they also have to allow others to have these rights. That means that there is no doubt about the Muslim perspective towards homosexuality, same as Catholic Christian or Jewish views, which see homosexuality as a sin. Despite this, Muslims have to live in accordance to European rules and laws, and they are asked to create alliances with other religions to develop a more pious society
Name
Nada
- Algeria
Profession
Question
What is the sentiment like now in Germany regarding Muslims? Is it growing as it is in the Netherlands?
Answer
It is indeed growing. But Muslims also have to do a lot about it. We have increasing Islamophobia, but we also have increasing Westophobia/Christophobia from within the Muslim community. We have to differentiate on all levels, and we have to ask the others to differentiate when they speak to Muslims or about Muslims.
Name
Aisha
-
Profession
Question
Will the EU develop a coherent, unified policy on immigration and Muslims' presence in Europe?
Answer
This is one of the biggest challenges Europe is facing now. It seems to be very difficult that Europe comes to a common approach on religion and the role of religion in the public sphere. The discussion connected to the nomination of Signore Buttilione, who was to be commissioner and was forced to withdraw due to the fact that he presented himself as a practicing Christian Catholic, shows that difficulty. So despite the fact that 60 percent of Europe is Roman Catholic, it was not possible for practicing Roman Catholic to become commissioner in the EU.
Name
Eden
-
Profession
Question
Are Muslims being used now as a scapegoat for Europe's economic problems?
Answer
It is not only a question of scapegoats. We have to admit that Muslims are, in huge parts of Europe, a problem. When we look into the percentage of young Muslims who are jobless, which comes in some areas up to 40 percent of the young Muslims, and when we look into the percentage of Muslims committing crimes connected to drug abuse or other issues (in some prisons in Europe, up to 70% of the prisoners are of Muslim backgrounds) then we have to admit that Muslims have to do something about their performance.
Name
Jim
-
Profession
Question
Why do countries like Germany, France and Holland have less tolerance for Muslims in official posts than here in the UK?
Answer
In the Netherlands, the situation was very good; it has rapidly changed after the murder of Van Gogh. Germany has a different history. It never had the same colonial past which has forced the UK long ago to look into minorities as an enrichment.
Name
Hossam
- Bahrain
Profession
Question
What are the new amendments to the immigration laws in Germany?
Answer
They are connected to the security laws. The most important change is that a person who could probably create in the future a problem to German security would be sent out of the country as a procurement.
Name
Ayman Ahmed
- Austria
Profession
Doctor
Question
Assalamu Alaikom My Dear Brother Ibrahim
Wa-Jazakom Allahu Khayrn for all you are doing for Dawa' in Europe
Would you please give us a breif idea about the Islamic " KARTA " you are interested in nowadays, and how useful it will be at the very difficult siuation that we are in?
Answer
We have issued an Islamic Charta in Germany from the Central Muslim Council in Germany (ZMD) in January 2002. In it you find the relation between the Muslims and the German society. On the European level, the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe, together with the Islamic community Milli Grus and other European and national Muslim bodies, are developing a European Muslim Charta, which is planned to be issued very soon.
It will be useful in this turbulent climate. The European society is asking Muslims to define themselves, and it is our obligation to do so.
Name
Mohammad
- Belgium
Profession
Question
What do the new laws in Europe mean for existing Muslims? Do they put tighter measures for Muslims already living there?
Answer
Yes they do. They put tighter measures asking them to clearly take positions towards the community they live in. This development will increase more in the future.
Name
Mohammad
- Canada
Profession
Question
Assalamu alaikum,
How can a Muslim like me be of help to the community in Germany...or anywhere else in the world for that matter?
BTW, congratulations on the new mosque in Hanover.
Answer
Duaa for Muslims around the world is important, of course.
We always need clever, educated Muslims to support the development of the Muslim communities around the world.
Name
Hanan
- Egypt
Profession
Journalist
Question
1- What is the role of European Muslims in their socieities in order to be seen as part of it and not as 'foreigners' ??
2- How can we build a bridge between Muslims and Europeans to change the typical extremist stereotype about Muslims??
Answer
The most important thing is that Muslims perceive themselves as an indigenous part of the society in which they live and that they have a duty and responsibility to work for the best of their countries (i.e. European countries). As long as Muslims are living in a parallel society with limited access to language, they will have to chance and enrich the society they live in. When we look to the challenges of the European societies, we will find the social challenge as one of the biggest. If Muslims are able to support the society in caring for the elderly, the needy, and the weak, then they will be positively recognized. This is part of their religious duty and their duty as citizens.
Name
Morgan
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
I fear that with this new wave of law changes and the publicity about it an anti-Muslim sentiment will further increase and spread all accross Europe, since the indigenous people will feel more backed by the attitude of their governments.
Answer
This is part of our challenge. There are no guarantees that Europe will develop a positive approach towards the minoriteis. But we have to do our duty in giving the society the feeling that we are no threat.
Name
Ahamed Saifudeen
- India
Profession
Student
Question
Dear Scholor, Assalamu Alaikum. What is the solution for prohibition of Hijab in France? Kindly explain to me.
Answer
There is no simple solution to this very complex issue. Muslims in France live within a country that has an understanding of secularism which developed in the last few years to become a new aggressive anti-religious ideology. Muslims in France are asked to search together with the other religious communities for solutions for a positive role of religion in society.
Name
Hoda
-
Profession
Question
I visited Germany in 1989. Back then I was not wearing the veil, so it was difficult to tell I was Muslim, yet me and my family continued to witness many incidents of racism over there, probably thinking that we were Turks.
So is Germany's problem with Muslims more economic than being more associated with Islam?
Answer
The problem with Muslims in Germany is connected with the general political climate after 9/11, but it is also a problem with racism and related xenophobia in Germany in general.
Now when we look into statistics, we find that more than 90 percent of Germans are connecting Islam to oppression of women, and more than 80 percent connect Islam to terrorism, extremism, and backwardness. These are figures of a new survey which has been made by the famous Allenspach institute. The first positive connection to Islam was that 45% said that Muslims are generous and open towards the other. Only 6% had sympathy with Muslims.
