.... Belgium's extremists are not alone. Elsewhere in Europe, the fumes of burning cars and simmering conflict continue to intoxicate the continent's failing integration policies. Lawmakers try to relegate religion to the private sphere, marking clear boundaries between Islam and the west.
There is, however, a way out of this standoff between secular, Islamist and sectarian forces. Despite indignant outcries at Dewinter's boldness, Belkacem's jihad and the Rida mosque tragedy, the events offer an opportunity to elevate the discussion to a higher level. Religious controversy fuels awareness, introspection and public debate – a central tenet of all modern, liberal societies.
[COMMENT] The stupidest argument used by Western apologists for Islam is that we should get to know more about Islamic culture, as opposed to encouraging more Muslims in the West to understand Western culture better.
We are far too defensive about standing up for the values that led us to enjoy human rights which no Muslim country has got anywhere near. [Guardian Cif] Read more
