IN THE realm of European Islam, nothing is going quite to plan. In the perfect scenario of the continent’s mainstream politicians, the law-abiding majority of Muslim citizens would be coming together now in a massive, thundering condemnation of terrorism. That in turn would create a renewed social consensus, paving the way for the defeat of terrorism in its latest, horrible forms, as it has been perpetrated in places like Nice, Brussels, Berlin, Manchester and London.
Reality turns out to be messier. Yesterday, in the German city of Cologne, there was a “not in our name” rally against terrorism, which was backed by some of the country’s leading Muslim organizations, and by politicians from across the political spectrum. It was hoped that at least 10,000 people from all over the country would take part, and that it would inspire similar actions in other cities. But the event proved to be a damp squib. At most 3,500 turned up.
.... There is a common problem. Although mainstream secular politicians would dearly wish it to be otherwise, the Islamic scene is large, diverse and contentious. It is riven by theological, ideological, ethnic and personal rivalries. That makes it unlikely that Muslim leaders will ever be induced to stand together in a line and chant in unison “Down with terrorism” in the precise terms that secular political leaders would like.
With respect to any grievances Muslims may have with Western policy, there's at least as much pull as there is push. Chaotic and dysfunctional regions have a way of sucking in other nations no matter who likes it. With that in mind, the simple fact of the matter is that the Islamic world is responsible for the disturbingly vast majority of the world's problems. Per the Economist, in 2014 the Arab world alone accounted for 45% of global terrorism, 68% of global battle-related deaths, 47% of the world's internally displaced, and 58% of the world's refugees.
That's just the Arab world. And it's not like a whole lot has changed in the last 3 or so years. European Muslims are going to have to get over their fears of "stigmatization." They're already stigmatized, and staying reticent, or engaging in whataboutism, is hardly a recipe for making things any better.
[TOP RATED COMMENT] As a North American I'll be the first to say that Europe sucks at assimilation, but assimilation is a two way street. European Muslims have to *want* to be citizens of their respective nations the same way tens of millions have and still do want to be Americans, Canadians, Australians, etc. even in the face of strong nativist sentiment.
They shouldn't be in a situation where there's even a sense of conflict in condemning those who do far more damage to the image of Islam than the Western far-right could ever hope to do. If European Muslims insist on splitting their loyalties then they need to get their own house in order before they expect an abundance of sympathy from everyone else.
[ANOTHER] Pretending that Muslims in Europe will adapt European norms while maintaining literal Muslim beliefs is like pretending that if I polish a turd, it will turn into gold. Not likely!
It seems to me muslims already are a very monolithic group, almost to the point of caricature. Muslims subscribe to one religious dogma, respect one view of their obligations to those beliefs and reject anything that might resemble secularism. Their utter existence outside of religion is nonexistent by definition.
They subscribe to militarist and exclusionary religious beliefs which compel them to eliminate any competing religious dogmas or world views. They view themselves as essential building blocks in the arch of conquest by their religious believers over the entire world, which appears to them as manifest destiny and somehow desirable. They are generally unable and unwilling conform to demands of non-muslim societies, but expect these societies to accommodate their world views and their personal religious requirements until the time for these societies' demise shall inevitably arrive in their view.
Which part of this population does Europe believe is anxious to embrace religious and social coexistence?
[ANOTHER] Yes, they're like that as individuals. They also partake in a fair amount of homosexual behavior- enough to put a smile on an Economist contributor.
There's a population density that exists when with Muslim communities when the crazy starts to take over. Muslims have their most freedom when not living within Muslim communities. At a certain point, collectively, they start placing demands on the larger community. Larger still they start demanding society submit to the precepts of Islam.
But you're right- in ones and twos they're great.
[ANOTHER] If you have a poisoned well, you dont attempt to disinfect every water molecule. You go to the source and remove the poison itself, then drain the poisoned water.
Alternatively if you have a tree that is dying of a disease, you dont cut off leaves, you cut down the tree below the diseased portion.
All solutions that angry people, conservatives and politicians are offering are just snipping leaves on a dead and dying tree.
There is a single source of extreme muslim ideology, and a single source of funding that is distributed globally. There are no questions about who is behind this, or where it is coming from.
Until we face that problem, nothing will change.
[ANOTHER] Radical Muslims are in charge of the killing. Moderate Muslims are in charge of PR. [The Economist] Read more
