Muslims in Europe condemn Paris attack; fear provocation

Supporters of the right-wing group PEGIDA hold a banner that reads "Against religious fanaticism and any kind of radicalism — Together without violence" as they march during a rally Monday in Dresden, Germany.

RUDAW
By Alla Shally
Saturday, January 10, 2015

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BERLIN, Germany - Muslim leaders across Europe condemned on Friday the deadly attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, calling on youths to distance themselves from the fanatics.

The French Council of the Muslim Religion condemned the “barbaric” attack Thursday and called on “all those committed to the values of the Republic and democracy to avoid provocations that only serve to throw oil on the fire.” It urged French Muslims to “exercise the utmost vigilance against possible manipulations from extremist groups.”

Muslim leaders have said they will address the attacks at Friday prayers, held in mosques across European cities.

In Germany, home to more than 4 million Muslims, Muslim communities have denounced the murder of journalists in Paris and expressed fear for tensions among different groups in the country. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that Muslims in Germany were part of the society and that the Paris murders would not undermine “the peaceful coexistence of different groups” in the country.

“We will protect the followers of every faith,” Merkel said. “Germany’s Muslims should not be targeted for the attack in Paris,” she added.

The Chancellors’ soothing words came as many Muslims in the country have felt increasingly alienated even before the Paris attacks.

“We fear for our security and the wellbeing of our children because of the tensions,” said Xider Heydar, a Kurdish Muslim who has lived in Germany with his family for the past 16 years. “Our children are studying at university and we are worried they could be targeted because of what happened in Paris,” he added.

Xider’s fears may not be fully groundless, as recent surveys conducted in Germany show that 57 percent of the Germans see Islam as “not suitable” for a Western society.

The rise of far right political parties in Europe has only added to the suspicion of Muslim communities, which fear “cultural clashes” could destabilize their conditions in exile.

“I am afraid we will all be under scrutiny as Muslims because of such attacks in Paris, although we have absolutely nothing to do with it,” said Urhan Tunja, a Muslim Turk warning that radical groups on both sides would take advantage of people’s worries.

(Source: RUDAW)

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