Berlin, December 17: Muslims are facing growing discrimination across Europe despite their sense of belonging to the countries where they live, an international policy institute has said, urging swift action to tackle the issue.
“The findings of this report are consistent with other research and suggest that levels of religious discrimination directed towards Muslims are widespread and have increased in the past five years,” the Open Society Institute said in a study published.
The OSI report, funded by George Soros, the billionaire philanthropist, was conducted over two and a half years, involving 2,200 in-depth interviews and 60 focus groups in 11 cities across Europe.
“There are also low levels of trust among young European-born Muslim men, who experience the greatest amount of discrimination and unfair treatment at the hands of the police.”
The report notes that even Muslim pupils are not immune from such discrimination.
“Some Muslim pupils continue to suffer from prejudice and low expectations from teachers.”
The EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) said in a report issued last May that nearly one third of Muslims in the European Union have been discriminated against in 2008.
“There is very little official data available on Europe’s Muslim and minority populations,” says Nazia Hussain, director of OSI’s At Home in Europe project.
“What does exist is either anecdotal or extrapolated and contributes to an inaccurate picture of Muslim communities and minorities in Europe and a lack of understanding of the experiences and concerns of these communities.”
The OSI estimates that between 15 and 20 million Muslims are living in Europe, though many believe the actual number is much higher.
Disadvantages
The OSI report said many Muslims in Europe still suffer unfair treatment along with social and economic disadvantages.
“Muslims are almost three times more likely to be unemployed than non-Muslims,” it said.
“Women are discriminated against in the labor market if they wear the veil.”
European Muslims also suffer higher poverty rates than their non-Muslim compatriots.
The OSI refuted allegations that Muslims in European countries tend to live in separated ghettos.
“Discrimination in housing restricts choices of where many Muslims across Europe can live.”
The OSI also criticized the media coverage of Muslim-related issues.
“The enormous media scrutiny of Muslims in different European countries has involved the negative reinforcement of stereotypes and prejudices.”
A recent British study accused the media and film industry of perpetuating Islamophobia and prejudice by demonizing Muslims and Arabs as violent, dangerous and threatening people.
Famed US academic Stephen Schwartz had also criticized the Western media for failing to meet the challenge of reporting on Islam after 9/11.
The OSI warned that the current attitude is creating a barrier for Muslim integration.
“Policymakers should promote equal treatment that addresses discrimination based on religion and belief in education, housing and the provision of goods and services.”
-Agencies