According to rahyafte (the missionaries and converts website):Lalisse, who took office on Feb. 2, spoke to journalists in Brussels and responded to their questions.
She pointed out that the Muslim community in Europe is the biggest religious minority, with different numbers, percentages and origins in different EU countries.
“But the main point is that the Muslim community in the EU is an essential part of our society,” Lalisse said. “We suggested creating a document by mapping the phenomenon of hatred against Muslims.”
When asked about specific plans to fight Islamophobia, referring to the Quran burning incidents in Sweden, she said that “firstly, we will integrate policies to fight anti-Muslim hatred in various sectors such as education, security, migration and many employment areas.”
“We will keep dialogue with various institutions, civil society, actors, citizens and international organizations. We will implement policies based on evidence and raise awareness among citizens and institutions about the phenomenon of Islamophobia,” she added.
Islamophobia is a term that describes irrational fear, hatred or discrimination of Islam, Muslims and Islamic culture.
In Europe, Islamophobia is a serious issue that affects the rights and well-being of millions of Muslims who face violence, abuse, profiling, exclusion and stigmatization. Islamophobia is often fueled by public anxiety over immigration, integration, terrorism and nationalism. It is also reinforced by some politicians, media outlets and populist parties that portray Muslims as threats to the European way of life.
Islamophobia is also reflected in policies and laws that target or restrict Muslims’ freedom of religion, expression and association, such as bans on hijabs, niqabs, minarets and halal meat. Islamophobia in Europe is not a new phenomenon, but it has worsened in recent years due to various economic, social and political factors.
One of the most recent Islamophobic incidents in the continent happened in Sweden where a man was allowed by Swedish authorities to burn a copy of the Holy Quran in front of Stockholm Central Mosque late last month.
Source: Agencies
