Europe is failing its Muslims

European Muslims face class discrimination and segregation

Speaker: Tariq Ramadan

As the first speaker in favour of the motion 'Europe is failing its Muslims', Tariq Ramadan states his belief that Europe has failed its Muslims in various different ways. It has allowed a political discourse in which Muslims, like the Turks and Bosnians, are not viewed as European citizens and has neglected to recognise the historical contribution of Muslim philosophers and scientists in forging the continent's identity, or the economic contribution of Muslims since World War II. Ramadan believes that Muslims in Europe face class discrimination and segregation, and that the tendency to culturalise and Islamicise Muslims' socio-economic problems plays into the hands of populist politicians. Europe has allowed only selective integration; while it welcomes Muslim cuisine and the money they bring, it rejects their dress sense. Though millions of European Muslims are silently contributing to their societies, Europe has fallen into an "Us vs Them" mindset and nurtured the perception that Islam is alien to Europe.

Tariq Ramadan

Professor of Islamic Studies and Senior Research Fellow at St Antony's College, Oxford

Lígia Figueiredo (06 Mar 2010 10:57pm)

Muslims are falling Europe when they don't respect western traditions or its major religion. Living with freedom means that i have to respect muslims'religion and not be offended by their religious symbols, as well as they have no right to feel offended by a symbol that I worship: CHRISTIAN CROSS. Banning a symbol of my religion is a sign of disrespect.
Kevin OnEarth (07 Mar 2010 3:45am)

1. The debate was MUCH too short - a few comments from the audience and it was over! 2. Amazed that the "Against" panel won it, as the auditorium seemed to be full of people who supported the motion and all the public comments seemed to be from people who supported it. 3. I did agree with those that opposed the motion, although I felt neither side had the time to really make a case, and I believe there is actually a lot of common ground between both sides. It would have been good to be able to identify and recognise this rather than build on schism to create a debate with the greatest "hit" value.
SAMUEL NWANGE (07 Mar 2010 11:21pm)

I really hope there will be a follow up debate on this issue: there was much that could have been addressed but wasen't : 1. what are the expectations of the average muslim who arrives in Europe ? Should secular societies in Europe do their homework before opening the gates to immigrants whose religion defines their socio-economic life and decisions? I was most dissappointed by the fact that no one addressed the "elephant in the room" which is what impact has European foreign policy in the Arab world had on how receptive our European hosts have been to Muslims in their society and vice versa?
Mina Matta (13 Mar 2010 6:56pm)

i agree muslim is falling europe because one can not live, with muslim manners in european country also Islam behavoir is anacceptable for many secular states , or most of erope. so inorder to make it clear, europe have the right not to intgrate with muslims, as long as they do not respect THE christian Rights. jews because Europe always and will be always a christian community and suclar state.