In many European countries, prejudice against foreigners, especially Muslims, is widespread. In our opinion at the EMU, many Europeans are unaware of the fact that Islam is a European phenomenon and that ever-increasing numbers of Muslims are becoming Europeans. Moreover, for the EMU it is clear that Muslims born in Germany and who speak German or any other European language are citizens of Europe equal in status to all other citizens.
In a new study, 1000 people over the ages of 16 were polled in eight EU member states. The Bielefeld Institute for Interdisciplinary Conflict and Violence Research conducted the Europe-wide study. According to public opinion, Muslims are often and in the first instance perceived as “foreigners”.
Swiss minaret ban discriminates against Muslims, says UN expert
Monday, 30 November 2009 16:36
An independent United Nations expert on religious freedom today voiced regret at the Swiss vote to ban the construction of new minarets, stating that such a prohibition clearly discriminates against Muslims. “I have deep concerns at the negative consequences that the outcome of the vote will have on the freedom of religion or belief of members of the Muslim community in Switzerland,” Asma Jahangir, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, stated in a news release.
“Indeed, a ban on minarets amounts to an undue restriction of the freedom to manifest one’s religion and constitutes a clear discrimination against members of the Muslim community in Switzerland,” she added, also noting that the UN Human Rights Committee stated a month ago that such a ban is contrary to the country’s obligations under international human rights law.
