Do you think that Obama’s speeches in Egypt and France will affect Muslims’ position all over the world? If so, will it be positive or negative?
Answer
It was high time for a member of the US establishment to send a positive message to the Muslim world. So the fact that Obama went to Egypt and addressed a Muslim audience in friendly terms is in itself going to have a positive impact if anything for making possible a space for dialogue
Name
Suzan
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
The recent results of the EU parliamentary elections raised concerns not only for Muslims as a minority in the west, but also for all those anti-racist groups and organizations….What are the reasons of such right-wing victory?
Answer
Unfortunately those results are not a nice piece of news. However, political analysts who specialize in electoral behavior during European elections have pointed out that this outcome tends to be not correlated to the reality of the political scene and electors' mood.
VERY FEW people choose to vote in European elections and those who did vote tend to consider that vote not a real political vote but a protest vote, to punish the current political leadership in their own countries.
Also, another reason why people tend to vote for such extremist parties is that they are aware that the powers of the European Parliament and the effect of EP decisions on the domestic scene are quite limited compared to National Parliaments.
So in a way, many people vote for extremist groups not necessarily because they wish to be governed by such groups, but to punish their own.
Moreover, I guess European voters are aware that whatever these people do in the European Parliament is going to be checked by the other EU institutions which have a major weight in EU decision making and the management of EU affairs, the Council and the Commission.
Finally, the EU, through its treaties and legislation has firmly stated that it protects fundamental rights and the rights of minorities.
Indeed over the past 3 years the EU commission in particular has greatly supported programs against discrimination (including faith-based programs), and promoted intercultural dialogue, citizenship, and integration of migrants.
Name
Gamal
- Germany
Profession
Question
What will be the future of Muslims’ in Europe in the next period considering those results?
Answer
As I said before, the European Parliament is NOT the only or the main body that makes decisions in Europe.
Fortunately, its job only complements that of the Council and the Commission.
Also, the members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will have to abide by the rules and the spirit of the treaties and the legislation produced by the EU, which is uncompromising in favor of fundamental rights and the protection of minorities.
There are also other European bodies, such as the Agency for Fundamental Freedoms in Vienna and the Council of Europe that constantly check that European society works fairly and respects human rights and minorities, including Muslims.
Finally, the future conditions of Europe's Muslims will be mainly defined by the domestic scene, I mean by the choices that national governments take and by the actions and responsible engagement of the European Muslims in the public scene.
Name
Ali
- Netherlands
Profession
Question
How do you see the state of Muslims all around Europe, are they making progress, or they still lack integration attempts?
Answer
The position, life conditions, and rights that Muslims enjoy across Europe differ on the basis of the history of Muslim presence in each individual country.
Normally, countries with a historical connection with Islam, such as through colonialism, have developed with time more avenues for engagement with Muslim communities and have adapted various services and laws to the needs of Muslim communities.
Other countries, like Italy or Spain, which have experienced a Muslim presence (with a sharp increase of this presence) over a short and recent span of time are still a bit confused as to how to address the needs of those individuals.
I am confident that progress is happening though, despite some events of discrimination that we can see all over Europe in relation to Muslims and to immigrant individuals.
Integration at the end of the day is a slow process that involves two parties. It is not just an effort coming from Muslims or a duty on the part of the governments and legislators.
It's a matter of responsible behavior and depends on the ability to face real challenges with honesty - on all parts - rather than blaming each other or being indulged in a state of denial.
Name
Merry
- Italy
Profession
Question
What agenda do you expect for the victorious right-wing parties in European parliament?
Answer
Well, they are supposed to have already prepared an agenda...
The problem is, once they are part of a democratic body that is based upon and works according to certain rules of fairness, tolerance, etc, the question is: Will they be able to proceed with their campaign? or Will they have to accommodate to a more moderate language and revise their program in more realistic terms?
Also, right-wing parties are still a minority in the European Parliament and the main decisions will still be taken by the majority coalitions which (though reduced in terms) remain the European People's Party (EPP) and the Socialists, who have already collaborated as a coalition.
We also have to remember that in Brussels there are a series of NGOs that promote the rights of minorites, migrants, and faith communities - which regularly produce reports and organize meetings with EU officials and MEPs.
Also, as I said before the EU Commission has made clear that it wants to promote dialogue between different faith communities and cultures across the Euro-mediterranean area so these issues will not disappear from the EU scene.
Name
Hagaar
- Greece
Profession
Question
What are your plans for the Muslim community in the West in terms of your studies and interests?
Answer
I have a number of studies that are ongoing: the one on Europe's Muslim women (I am expanding it), a project on Muslim youth. Also various articles on pan-European Muslim networks, including those that operate in Brussels, are about to appear.
Name
Sohaa
- Egypt
Profession
Question
How do you estimate Muslim women’s situation in the west, are they being underestimated? And why?
Answer
Women, "as women", throughout the world and throughout history have tended to be underestimated and have less chances to be in highly paid jobs, such as those in politics, etc.
Muslim women living in Europe have the same chances, challenges, and opportunities as other women.
What I found with my humble study last year is that many tend to be squeezed between 2 pressures: on the one hand, Western society that is suspicious of Islamic dress code; and on the other hand, the prejudices and narrow-mindedness of the ethno-religious communities of origin.
But generally speaking, in my research, travels, and daily contact with Muslim students, I see a lot of positive energy, resilience, and creativity.
I think Muslim women in the West are making huge strides in their personal development and success in their careers. Moreover, they are reversing , with their own life and experiences, old-fashioned ideas of Islam and Muslim women that are held both by Muslim elders, traditionalist groups, and by non-Muslim European people.
Name
Hagaar
-
Profession
Question
Please tell us why you are interested in that area of research, and please tell us what is pan-European Muslim networks?
Answer
I have been interested in religion and migration for a long time. I started my research on Islam way before the events of 9/11, so I am proud to say that my interest in the topic is not instrumental.
I am not studying Islam because it is "fashionable". I have just been always intrigued by the growing religio-ethnic-cultural diversity of Europe and by the role of the European Union in providing peace and stability.
So I ventured into the study of a religiuos community that was often associated with immigration and which was "supposed" to represent a challenge to European values.
The study of pan-European Muslim networks is only a section of my work which centres on political participation and the interaction between European institutions, European governments, and Muslim organisations.
Obviously I am aware that Muslims are individuals first, and their voice and concern should not be reduced to the activities and programs of Muslim networks and institutions.
Name
Peter
- Ireland
Profession
Question
What are the problems facing Muslims in the west now, and what will they be in the future?
Answer
There are problems coming from the Western society itself and problems coming from within the Muslim communities.
Racism and discrimination (and what some people call Islamophobia - a term with which I am not at ease) are only one side of the story.
European governments are slowly adapting the legal system and their services to the needs of Muslim communities. Muslims in various European countries are also getting involved in civil society groups and party politics and this is definitely good and fighting myths (and partly realities) of "non-integration."
The acts of Al Qaeda have definitely not helped the position and perception of Muslims in Europe.
On the other hand, thankfully, Europeans are not all stupid and many have been able to disconnect Al Qaeda from Islam and have become genuinely interested in the meaning of this faith.
There are a number of socio-economic problems that are really at the heart of the challenges that European societies (including their Muslim inhabitants) are facing. Often these problems have been defined in religious terms and have been associated to the phenomenon of radicalization. But I think it is important to disconnect them and get back to doing good social work and to stop blaming each other if we want to build a peaceful and useful Europe for all.
Name
Lateef
- Swaziland
Profession
Question
How do you evaluate the EU Parliamentary elections’ results in general?
Answer
A failure in terms of people's sense of responsibility for the common good. At a time when the EU has proved an effective way to face the credit crunch collectively, it is a pity that people have shown such disaffection. Hopefully voting patterns go in waves so if this time people have gone right maybe next time they will go the opposite direction.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Question
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Answer
As the session has ended, IOL, Euro-Muslims zone would like to thank our guest for his estimated contribution and for his detailed enlightening answers to all our readers' questions.
Dear readers, thank you very much for joining us during this LD session. You can view the whole dialogue by clicking Recent Sessions, or later on Archive.
