By BRIAN MURPHY, AP Religion Writer
December 18, 2006

The 117-page survey details the many divides between the EU mainstream and the estimated 13 million Muslims -- now at least 3.5 percent of the 25-nation bloc's population -- and seeks to offer a street-level view of the complexities blocking efforts to bridge the differences.

"The disadvantaged position of Muslim minorities, evidence of a rise in Islamophobia and concern over processes of alienation and radicalization have triggered an intense debate in the European Union," said Beate Winkler, director of the Vienna-based group.

The report reinforces the growing urgency of tackling religious tensions and suspicions in Europe.

During a trip to Turkey earlier this month, Pope Benedict XVI appealed for greater understanding between Christianity and Islam and sought to ease Muslim outrage over his remarks in September that cited a medieval emperor speaking about violence and Muhammad's teachings.

Last week, British Prime Minister Tony Blair called tolerance one of the "essential values" of his nation and denounced "hatemongers, whatever their race, religion or creed."

The report cited hundreds of reported cases of violence or threats against Muslims in the EU since 2004, including vandalism against mosques and Islamic centers, abuse against women wearing Islamic headscarves and attacks, such as a Somali family in Denmark assaulted by a gang carrying baseball bats emblazoned with swastikas and racist slogans.

The report, however, noted that "data on religiously aggravated incidents is collected on a limited scale." It noted that only Britain publishes a hate-crime list that specifically identifies acts against Muslims.

"Muslims feel that acceptance by society is increasingly premised on 'assimilation' and the assumption that they should lose their Muslim identity," Winkler said. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, many Muslims feel "they have been put under a general suspicion of terrorism."

Islamophobic incidents shot up 500 percent in Britain in the weeks after the July 2005 bombings of London's transit system, but decreased dramatically after authorities and religious leaders worked together to ease tensions, Winkler said.

"The key word is 'respect,'" she said. "People need to feel respected and included."

The report urged EU nations to develop more clear legal frameworks for Muslim cultural and religious institutions, including ways to make more public funds available to Islamic community groups and help train local imams.

The report also said Europe's Muslims are "often disproportionately represented" in poor housing conditions, unemployment statistics and in lower education levels.

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On the Net:

European Monitoring Center on Racism and Xenophobia: http://eumc.eu.int

Source: AP, Dec 18, 2006

Hasna @ 12/19/2006 3:25 PM EST  I am confused here, “I love you baby” was that a Sarcasm or factual? Anyway, good comeback.

aa @ 12/19/2006 6:37 AM EST  Oh gurey my baby, I didn't know you were my English teacher, girl-friend! Boy!  It is people like you who can't see the big pictures.  The west basically controls the Islamic world indirectly through their leaders.  I can't believe a Muslim like you, would say a brainless statement like this one, "If Muslims cared so much about religion and want to live the life of the Arabian Peninsula of 2000 years ago..." that's properly because of your narrow minded!  It is insult to our religion and to Allah.  The Quran, a perfect constitution to mankind, can be used at all times, not just “2000 years ago”.  Unlike government constitution that changes from time to time, Allah is the knowing of past and the future and gave us the Quran to use at all time.  In addition, I can see from your writing that you are  that you are ignorant about history, because prophet Mohamed (PBUH) came 1400 years ago not 2000.  So if you're going to debate with me next time, come up with correct facts instead of lies, baby. The west is indirectly asking the Muslims to lose their Muslim identity if they want to be accepted by the west.  And if you failed to understand that, they must have convinced baby!  It is time that you learn more about your religion, unless you’re a … Hope to hear from you baby, I love you, baby!

gurey @ 12/19/2006 3:32 AM EST  "If muslims are asked to "assimilate", in order to be accepted by west, then western society must agree to assimilate islam into their culture as well." Hey baby,firstly try to learn how to spell Greek. Secondly, no one asked Muslims to show up in the west OK? They chose to come and they chose to remain in the west  because they were looking for  a better life  that they couldn't get anywhere else. Therefore, they must either adapt or die.It is that simple baby.If you come knocking somebody's door and asked him /her to let you live with them , then you must act like  a guest. The western society has has chosen  away of life that is independent of religious dogma and religious totalitarianism after having fought religious wars for thousands of years . If Muslims cared so much about religion  and want to live the life of the Arabian Peninsula of 2000 years ago, then they should have sought an asylum  in Saudia to settle them down in Mecca and Medina  and   should not be seeking asulum in democratic Christian nations.The United States , Canada and Europe have gone too far to go back baby.If Muslims were not so fascistic and imperialistic as to deny Christians to have churchs in Saudia, Kuwait and the rest of Arbian Gulf and allowed to practice their faith, may be western society would change its attitude as well. You discriminate against other religions by calling them infedels and complain about retaliations? That sounds like the boy who killed  his father and then complained baout being an orphan.

gurey @ 12/19/2006 3:25 AM EST  "If muslims are asked to "assimilate", in order to be accepted by west, then western society must agree to assimilate islam into their culture as well." Hey baby,firstly try to learn to spell Greek. Secondly, no one asked Muslims to show up in the west OK? They chose to come and they chose to remain in the west  because they were looking for  a better life  that they couldn't get anywhere else. Therefore, they must either adapt or die.It is that simple baby.If you come knocking somebody's door and asked him /her to let you live with them , then you must act like  a guest. The western society has has chosen  away of life that is independent of religious dogma and religious totalitarianism after having fought religious wars for thosands of years . If Muslims cared so much about religion  and want to live the life of the Arabian Peninsula of 2000 years ago, then they should have sought an asylum  in Saudia to settle them down in Mecca and Medina  and   should not be seeking asulum in democratic Christian nations.The United States , Canada and Europe have gone too far to go back baby.If Muslims were not so fascistic and imperialistic as to deny Christians to have churchs in Saudia, Kuwait and the rest of Arbian Gulf and allowed to practice their faith, may be western society would change its attitude as well. You discriminate against other religions by calling them infedels and complain about retaliations? That sounds like the boy who killed  his father and then complained baout being an orphan.

aa @ 12/18/2006 3:40 PM EST  If muslims are asked to "assimilate", in order to be accepted by west, then western society must agree to assimilate islam into their culture as well.  If Christiantiy, judaism, roman and greec culture were added to the west culture in order to accomadate the christians and the jews, then the west must include islam to the culture, inorder to help muslim easily assimilated to the west.  In this way, it is a win-win situation rather than win-lose, otherwise than we're being biased.