Introduction The mixing of cultures in a global world can cause some serious problems, with Muslim immigration into Europe being one such (Glazer, 2010). The low-skilled poor migrants face hostility in many European nations, as anti-immigration policies and laws are being implemented, with xenophobia running rampant (Glazer, 2010). Some experts argue that the influx of immigrants is necessary to combat the inevitable social security and aging workers crisis, yet others argue technology will solve the problem (Glazer, 2010). With tensions high, questions come to the limelight over the banning of burqa’s in European countries, and the effects these policies will have on future immigration to Europe (Glazer, 2010).
In general, what are the main differences between American Muslims and European Muslims? While American Muslims are mainly educated and work professional jobs, European Muslims are migrant workers from poorer communities and villages such as Turkey, Algeria and Bangladesh (Glazer, 2010). Furthermore, Muslims in Europe contribute to social problems in the realms of unemployment, school dropouts, welfare dependency, and political persecution (Glazer, 2010).
Why do experts believe anti-immigration hostility is increasing in Europe? Some experts argue that the recent rise in xenophobic promises and policies in European countries has to do with the populace’s fear over job loss, pensions and benefits cutting, and a fear in the loss of a national identity—which some
Islam in two Americas is a delayed thesis argument about the state of Islāmic/American relations in the US, post 9-11. As a delayed thesis, the author, Ross Douthat, opens the debate with a brief explanation of the “two Americas” as he sees it. Within the current political climate that is America today, it would be hard to argue that this divide does not exist.
In Europe, Islamophobia emerged together with new anti-Semitism, where the targets are the new immigrants, Muslims, as well as Jews. The reason for that is in France and United Kingdom, Muslims and Jews for the past decade inhabit the poorest neighborhoods. Media, on the other hand, portrays this as an incapability of Muslim immigrants to integrate into European society and susceptibility to the imported Islamist ideologies (Silverstein, 367).
Since the incident of 9/11 occurred, many people have debated over the Muslim faith and its practices. Muslim extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS have affected the name of Islam causing majority of Muslims to be blamed. Recently, a tragic event that occurred in Paris killing over a hundred people left the people of France shaken with fear and anger. These events have lead to an increasing amount of hate and tension towards Muslims all over the world from protests at mosques, where Muslims go to pray, and anti-Muslim rally’s. Islamophobia is a massive issue that has steered European counties like France to enforce laws that ban religious garments that Muslims wear such as the niqab and burqa. Some people perceive these garments to be
The anticipated law, whose purpose is to ban the use of the burqa and veil, finally took place in France. The ban started within school, and expanded into a restriction within the entire country. France drew international attention, questions, and opinions on the justification of this new law. Even though France’s main response to their justification of the ban is to preserve the French culture, the law also positively addresses other problems such as: religious freedom, public safety, and women’s rights.
. The wearing of burqa has become contested in European nations for reasons of security and identification but also as a challenge to women's rights from both sides of the fence . Opponents argue that it is from an oppressive patriarchal culture that makes women cover up, though for many Muslim women they feel it is their choice to wear it for religious reasons and stopping them doing so is impacting their rights. Groups both in the West and those that oppose the west have presented ideas about the nature of Muslims to support their cause, this comprising of being highly aggressive, opposed to liberty,unafraid of death being prepared to go to any lengths to achieve their objectives. These ideas mean immigration within the west has become highly contested especially since the recession for economic , social and security reasons, and a fear about immigrants has been created that is not beneficial to moving forward . An article in the Sydney Morning Herald (Australia) polled attitudes towards muslims and found that they were more favourable when groups met and discussed their points of view, they found that it led to a greater understanding and reduced
The banning of the burqa has become an issue in many places, including France. The French Parliament has decided it is time to ban the burqa in public. They believe is a sign of the subjugation and submission of women to males. Some believe it is used to cover up abuse and they also believe it is unfair to the public that citizens cannot see the women’s faces. However it is unfair for these women to be banned from wearing what they choose as just everyone else does.The banning of the burqa should not be allowed because it is discriminatory towards Muslim women and violates their freedom of religion and their freedom to express themselves.
“Since 9/11, Muslims in America are living in fear” (“In a virtual internment camp: Muslim Americans since 9/11”). When our World Trade Center came crashing down, American had one more enemy, Muslims. 9/11 was a tragic act of terrorism and those victims will not be forgotten, but because of the Muslims that did this terrible act most Muslims in America were grouped into one category, evil.
The United States is a unique country. It is part of a few other countries that allows its citizens to be free to express themselves. Like other countries, the United States has set a standard or a social requirement for its citizens. There seem to be a social requirement to only speak english, have english name, wear certain clothes or practice a certain religion, Christianity. To some foreigners, this seems to be the the American standard, however, there can never be one standard for Americans. People from all over come to the United States so they can have the ability to practice their own religion without fearing being targeted. America's culture is a mixture of other culture so there could not be one standard. However, some people are targeted because they do not fit into America’s standard. To emphasize, the practice of Islam appears to create issues for some Americans. Islamophobia is common in the United States. Some Americans fear to be seen a practicing Muslims. Some free is they express their different religion in America thy will be personally targeted. Therefore, some often try to fit in the false American standards. In this paper I will argue, Muslim feel pressured and obligated to fit the American standard
Throughout my elementary school years, I went to an all-Muslim school. Most of my friends and teachers were Muslims, so my transition into a traditional public middle school felt overwhelming. I was not prepared for the following years of criticism I would endure simply because of my background. In a post-9/11 world, I grew up having to accept my religion publically being viewed as a symbol for hate, yet I was raised knowing that my religion was synonymous with peace and love. Throughout my pre-teen and early teenage years, I found out that many people believed that Muslims were not American or that Muslims could not have an American identity. It is for that reason I felt that it was my duty as a Muslim-American to open up the conversation
The niqab dress wear has recently been controversial topic in Canada. The topic targets beauty and the body, and more precisely the topic of politicization of the body (which is the political status of the body) 1. The issue is due to its wear during citizenship ceremonies in Canada. The niqab however, is part of a much larger debate, than what is it given credit for. First of all, the niqab wear is not a formal sanction placed upon by religion as people may believe and is instead based on culture. Secondly, the wearing of the niqab is seen as a way of gaining control over one’s identity. Finally, wearing the niqab is a way to show freedom of expression to the world.
the government and media. I believe that people running this country are Anti Islamic due to there view on things. Also this is a Zionist country, which is another reason that makes the media discriminate against the Muslim’s, due to the conflict with Palestine and other Muslim countries. The media has always portrayed Islam in a negative way. The reason the media is biased when it comes to Islam because they hate the Islamic structure and the beliefs. The majority of media conglomerate ownership is of people who
Giry argues that French Muslims have displayed true capability and willingness to assimilate, much stronger than acknowledged by elite politicians and the media. However, the problem seems to be that French Muslims efforts towards integration have not been mutually met from the French public. She states that most Muslims have adopted the French cultural norms and provides examples of studies showing that France has one of the highest rates of intermarriage between Muslim women and French men in Europe (2006, p. 93), all supporting the fact that Muslims have succeeded in integrating in various ways. However, there seems to be economic and political disparities
Main issue today is that Islam is viewed as a religion that teaches violence and terrorism, however, it is not so. Ignorance and lack of knowledge allow people to fall into the trap of allowing the press and social media to manipulate the information any way desired. During the Spring of 2011, when a terrorist in Norway shot and killed many children during a camping activity, the issue of his religion was not brought up during court - however, when Bin Laden was being accused and tried, he was always referred to as Muslim terrorist. So, what symbolizes terrorism in today’s society? Is it social behavior or physical appearance? The main focus of this essay is to elaborate on the issue of why women’s Islamic attire - hijab - is viewed as a prohibited religious practice in Europe and portrayed as a social threat to non-Islamic community.
Standing against religious discrimination will decrease harassment on different religion of different classes. Muslim women experienced racism in workplaces. People determine others by their appearance. Muslim women often follow rules of their own religion, but people will start isolate Muslim women due to their religion and their habits. “By permitting a ban on the hijab, Europe is essentially permitting a ban on Muslim women in the workplace.‘I have friends who have taken to wearing the hijab in recent years because they feel their Muslim identity has been threatened, and they have decided to take a stand for their faith’.” (Amrani). In the column, a muslim women feels her identity has been threatened, harassed by people. But still, she chose to stand for her faith. If we stand against religious discrimination, there will be less people threatening muslim women because of their beliefs and identity. In
Losing a job can be devastating. Before starting the job hunt, a person’s instinct might first be to look for an explanation. Unemployment can leave the average person feeling powerless, angry, and desperate. The economic rebound following the 2009 European Crisis had varying success across the region, leaving some millions entrenched in unemployment and a level of poverty that had not been seen in these generally strong welfare states. Looking for answers to explain their sudden headlong dive into relative poverty, many individuals have turned to blaming marginalized migrants. Whereas thirty years ago most xenophobic parties failed to even pass the 5 percent minimum vote requirement that is typically necessary to enter most EU nations’ national parliaments, we now see the rise of individual xenophobic attacks against immigrants and the rise of nationalist parties. While the intuitive assumption would be that the countries hardest hit by the crisis would be those in which xenophobia is most prevalent, there are too many exceptions to accept this assumption at face value any longer. During the course of over two months I traveled to Spain, Greece and the Netherlands to explore the causes of the rise or lack of a rising xenophobic rhetoric.