Bigotry exposed

Regardless of the religion of migrants, Europe has to realise it is world’s faith in humanity that has to come first

The latest incident exposing the extreme intolerance and right-wing tendencies that are on the rise in Europe is that of the Hungarian journalist, Petra Laszlo, caught on camera intentionally tripping a refugee carrying a child, sending both sprawling to the ground. Later more images surfaced where the same journalist is shown kicking migrants, including children, leading her employer to fire her. Besides the obvious intolerance, this incident also depicts the ignorance and misinformation that is at play, which has led to many ordinary Europeans forming wrong conclusions about the refugees trying to enter their countries. There is an impression that many of these are economic migrants, when the truth is that the majority are fleeing countries that have been overrun by the enemies of all countries alike — enemies who wish to kill and cause harm to ordinary people. No one would undertake such risky endeavours, especially with young children, unless they were simply trying to escape death in their countries of origin. What is needed is a more informed and nuanced debate so that viable solutions can be found.

While we cannot discount the generosity shown by ordinary Europeans and the governments of some countries, we also cannot ignore the intolerant beliefs of authoritative figures that are now surfacing. Whereas, on the one hand we have Pope Francis’s recent statement on welcoming refugees into European homes, on the other we see influential religious figures terming the entry of these hapless people into the continent an “invasion”. Furthermore, Hungary’s prime minister has said that attempts to “keep Europe Christian” were being disturbed, disregarding the fact that those seeking homes in European nations do not necessarily belong to one faith, not to mention that the number of refugees entering Europe form a minuscule percentage of the continent’s total population. However, regardless of the religious backgrounds of refugees, European leaders have to realise that it is the world’s faith in humanity that has to come first. While this is a problem that has no easy solutions, we can at least do without the obvious bigotry at display.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 14^th,  2015.

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