The European Parliament’s most recent vote to “confront Muslim Brotherhood,” despite probably having good intentions of protecting citizens, is a slippery slope towards an increase in anti-Muslim attitudes that have been consistently growing in Europe.
The decision comes at a precarious time for immigration in Europe. Xenophobic sentiments have grown over the past few years, as parties such as Alternative für Deutschland (AFD) gained power on anti-immigration platforms and migrants are scapegoated for the housing and cost of living crises that plague many countries.
It is also true that anti-immigration sentiments exist in different contexts depending on the country. While in Western Europe, anti-immigration is a far-right ideology that is often rejected by younger demographics, in Central Europe it is a more centrist stance, supported more frequently by younger demographics. Europe also faces a migrant crisis, as refugees and migrants flee from their countries in search of a better life — many of them from Muslim countries.
Within these contexts, fear of the Muslim Brotherhood could easily evolve into a fear of Muslims, which could then progress into fear of migrants, increase hate towards them, and support for parties on the far-right who pledge to get rid of such migrants.
Anti-Muslim rhetoric has been steadily increasing. According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, one in two Muslims experience racial discrimination, while racial harassment is widespread. Since the October 7 2023 attacks, hate crimes against Muslims have increased, reaching new highs in some countries. The EU’s “confrontation” will increase these attacks, as their condemnation of this group could easily be warped by hateful peoples into a condemnation of Islam as a whole.
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in 1928, initially as a relatively benevolent organisation that provided education and set up businesses, while preaching Islam and opposing British colonial rule. They began to advocate armed struggle and imposition of Sharia Law, expanding their influence throughout the Muslim world and evolving towards political violence. The danger of the organisation cannot be ignored, but steps must be taken to ensure that an attack on the organisation will not increase to an attack on all Muslim people.
The solution to Islamic extremism is not simply violent confrontation. Many extremist groups in the Middle East are a reaction to European colonialism and greed, and if the European Parliament truly wants to eradicate terrorist groups throughout the continent, efforts must be taken to ensure stability in the Muslim world. For example, measures such as cutting down on useless wars and interventions, and preventing further settlement and colonialism by foreign powers. This would also ease the migrant crisis as less would have reason to leave their homes.
Violence is a reaction, but not the solution, and ensuring the Middle East maintains stability can only prevent further death.
Photo by Guillaume Périgois on Unsplash.
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The Muslim Brotherhood and anti-migrant attitudes
The European Parliament’s most recent vote to “confront Muslim Brotherhood,” despite probably having good intentions of protecting citizens, is a slippery slope towards an increase in anti-Muslim attitudes that have been consistently growing in Europe.
The decision comes at a precarious time for immigration in Europe. Xenophobic sentiments have grown over the past few years, as parties such as Alternative für Deutschland (AFD) gained power on anti-immigration platforms and migrants are scapegoated for the housing and cost of living crises that plague many countries.
It is also true that anti-immigration sentiments exist in different contexts depending on the country. While in Western Europe, anti-immigration is a far-right ideology that is often rejected by younger demographics, in Central Europe it is a more centrist stance, supported more frequently by younger demographics. Europe also faces a migrant crisis, as refugees and migrants flee from their countries in search of a better life — many of them from Muslim countries.
Within these contexts, fear of the Muslim Brotherhood could easily evolve into a fear of Muslims, which could then progress into fear of migrants, increase hate towards them, and support for parties on the far-right who pledge to get rid of such migrants.
Anti-Muslim rhetoric has been steadily increasing. According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, one in two Muslims experience racial discrimination, while racial harassment is widespread. Since the October 7 2023 attacks, hate crimes against Muslims have increased, reaching new highs in some countries. The EU’s “confrontation” will increase these attacks, as their condemnation of this group could easily be warped by hateful peoples into a condemnation of Islam as a whole.
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt in 1928, initially as a relatively benevolent organisation that provided education and set up businesses, while preaching Islam and opposing British colonial rule. They began to advocate armed struggle and imposition of Sharia Law, expanding their influence throughout the Muslim world and evolving towards political violence. The danger of the organisation cannot be ignored, but steps must be taken to ensure that an attack on the organisation will not increase to an attack on all Muslim people.
Does it have to hinge on Hinge?
The solution to Islamic extremism is not simply violent confrontation. Many extremist groups in the Middle East are a reaction to European colonialism and greed, and if the European Parliament truly wants to eradicate terrorist groups throughout the continent, efforts must be taken to ensure stability in the Muslim world. For example, measures such as cutting down on useless wars and interventions, and preventing further settlement and colonialism by foreign powers. This would also ease the migrant crisis as less would have reason to leave their homes.
Violence is a reaction, but not the solution, and ensuring the Middle East maintains stability can only prevent further death.
Photo by Guillaume Périgois on Unsplash.
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