Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

European Islam

The editorial ‘Welcome changes in European Islam’ (May 3) gave only one side of the picture while being silent on the contemporary European attitude towards Islam.

In the thick fog of Islamophobia and anti-Islamism that covers Europe today, who can tell who actually needs reform? The Muslim Religious Thought or the western society which is perpetually impregnated with Islamophobia by the intellectual and political clergy?

Behind the facade of Europe’s demands of Islamic reforms lies its need of compliant Imams, easily-mixing Muslim youths and a secular Muslim identity which remains unaffected by the excesses that West commits in Muslim lands.

This need is imminent and so unrealistic that it completely overlooks the manner in which religious reforms are brought about. While there is no denying the fact that the Muslim religious thought is in serious need of reconstruction, the process is only delayed by the West which puts inward-looking Muslims on the defensive by attacking Islamic symbols and practices.

If Europe — and the West at large — is sincere in integrating Muslims within its society, it needs to honestly engage in reconciliation.

Yasir Malik

New Delhi

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

A bold decision
Lemmings head cliffwards
Mismeasuring inflation
The unravelling of Gordon Brown
Quiet, sweet company
Food security concerns in East Asia
Unrelenting inflation
Blasphemy laws
Sarabjit case
European Islam
RTI in judiciary
Shame or honour?

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu