European Muslims: ‘Refusal to integrate the root of most problems’
Need to strengthen ties among Muslim communities stressed.
ISLAMABAD:
Muslim immigrants in Europe have faced many challenges post-9/11, and there is a need to enhance intra-community harmony to address the situation. This was stressed at a seminar titled ‘Muslim Immigrants in Europe’, held here on Thursday. The seminar was organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), in collaboration with the Pakistan-Norway Association (PANA).
Speakers were of the view that for decades, Muslims have been residing in Europe and have significantly contributed to the economy, unfortunately, after 9/11, all their efforts were forgotten. Now, they are faced with questions related to their identity, affiliations, aspirations and lifestyle.
They pointed out that despite the fact that many Pakistanis living in Europe are third and, even, fourth generation, the linkage and sense of bonding with Pakistan was very strong, which needed to be capitalised on.
However, Pakistanis, like other Muslims in Europe, were at the receiving end in the crisis.
Former PANA President Amir Iftikhar Warraich, claimed that practicing Muslims are facing more discrimination in educational institutes, employment and housing. During interviews, they are being asked questions like, ‘How religious are you or how much you follow Islam?’
“A non-practicing Muslim, who has abandoned all manifestations of Islam from his public and private life, finds all the doors open in social and economic life. But anyone who values his religion is most likely to be accused of disturbing national homogeneity”, Warraich opined.
He said that Europeans are critical of Muslim women, yet welcome those who don’t practice religion. “They consider such women as role models for other Muslim women to come out of their homes.
They also perceive religion as a hurdle in moving forward,” he added.
“If you are well qualified, have an attractive personality but don’t want to lose your Muslim identity, then all doors are closed for you,” he maintained.
Muhammad Athar Javed, Chairperson of the Denmark based Danish International Dialogue, said many Pakistanis were working in top positions and contributing actively in high tech, scientific jobs in Scandinavian and other European countries.
He was of the view that, “Continuous engagement and dialogue among various communities is the way forward.”
Director IPS, Khalid Rahman, said that the main problems faced by these immigrants include the unavailability of infrastructure and social set up to perform Islamic rituals and obligations, legal issues related to citizenship; social issues like assimilation and integration in non-Muslim societies, and other issues such as liberal, secular and anti-religion trends in Europe.
Rahman added that the role of globalisation is becoming critical for Muslims in Europe, as any development in their home country
would affect them and any issue related to immigrants in Europe would raise voices in Muslim-majority countries.
Riyazul Haque, a senior associate at IPS, deplored the fact that while it is prohibited to deny the holocaust as it is seen as hurting the sentiments of Jews, Europeans were showing no regard for the sensitivities of Muslims. He also stressed upon the need to provide a sense of security to the Muslims living in Europe.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 22nd, 2011.
Muslim immigrants in Europe have faced many challenges post-9/11, and there is a need to enhance intra-community harmony to address the situation. This was stressed at a seminar titled ‘Muslim Immigrants in Europe’, held here on Thursday. The seminar was organised by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), in collaboration with the Pakistan-Norway Association (PANA).
Speakers were of the view that for decades, Muslims have been residing in Europe and have significantly contributed to the economy, unfortunately, after 9/11, all their efforts were forgotten. Now, they are faced with questions related to their identity, affiliations, aspirations and lifestyle.
They pointed out that despite the fact that many Pakistanis living in Europe are third and, even, fourth generation, the linkage and sense of bonding with Pakistan was very strong, which needed to be capitalised on.
However, Pakistanis, like other Muslims in Europe, were at the receiving end in the crisis.
Former PANA President Amir Iftikhar Warraich, claimed that practicing Muslims are facing more discrimination in educational institutes, employment and housing. During interviews, they are being asked questions like, ‘How religious are you or how much you follow Islam?’
“A non-practicing Muslim, who has abandoned all manifestations of Islam from his public and private life, finds all the doors open in social and economic life. But anyone who values his religion is most likely to be accused of disturbing national homogeneity”, Warraich opined.
He said that Europeans are critical of Muslim women, yet welcome those who don’t practice religion. “They consider such women as role models for other Muslim women to come out of their homes.
They also perceive religion as a hurdle in moving forward,” he added.
“If you are well qualified, have an attractive personality but don’t want to lose your Muslim identity, then all doors are closed for you,” he maintained.
Muhammad Athar Javed, Chairperson of the Denmark based Danish International Dialogue, said many Pakistanis were working in top positions and contributing actively in high tech, scientific jobs in Scandinavian and other European countries.
He was of the view that, “Continuous engagement and dialogue among various communities is the way forward.”
Director IPS, Khalid Rahman, said that the main problems faced by these immigrants include the unavailability of infrastructure and social set up to perform Islamic rituals and obligations, legal issues related to citizenship; social issues like assimilation and integration in non-Muslim societies, and other issues such as liberal, secular and anti-religion trends in Europe.
Rahman added that the role of globalisation is becoming critical for Muslims in Europe, as any development in their home country
would affect them and any issue related to immigrants in Europe would raise voices in Muslim-majority countries.
Riyazul Haque, a senior associate at IPS, deplored the fact that while it is prohibited to deny the holocaust as it is seen as hurting the sentiments of Jews, Europeans were showing no regard for the sensitivities of Muslims. He also stressed upon the need to provide a sense of security to the Muslims living in Europe.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 22nd, 2011.