European Muslims League: combating Islamophobia means defending dignity, not fuelling new divisions.
Islamophobia cannot be fought with another form of hatred.
It must be confronted through truth, the rule of law, education and, above all, the ability to recognise in others a human being before their religious affiliation.
The European Muslims League (EML) observes with growing concern a climate in which individual incidents are too often used to make sweeping judgements about Islam and Muslims.
This is a dangerous mechanism.
When a Muslim commits a crime, responsibility for that crime belongs to the individual who committed it. It cannot automatically become evidence against a religion followed by nearly two billion people.
The same principle must apply to everyone.
A crime committed by a Christian does not represent Christianity. A crime committed by a Jew does not represent Judaism. An extremist act carried out by an individual cannot be transformed into a collective accusation against millions of innocent people.
Responsibility is individual. Dignity is universal.
Defending Muslims from discrimination therefore does not mean asking for privileges, nor does it mean shielding Islam from criticism.
In a free society, religions, ideas and institutions can be discussed and criticised.
There is, however, a line that should not be crossed: the line where criticism becomes contempt for people, discussion becomes generalisation, and fear becomes discrimination.
The European Muslims League considers it equally important to affirm a second principle.
Combating Islamophobia cannot mean tolerating antisemitism, anti-Christian hatred or any other form of religious intolerance.
It would be inconsistent to demand respect for one’s own faith while denying that same respect to others.
Muslims, Christians, Jews, followers of other religions and people with no religious affiliation must be able to live together without being forced to regard one another as a threat.
It is precisely during periods of heightened international tension that this responsibility becomes even more important.
Wars, terrorism and geopolitical crises must not be imported into our cities and transformed into hostility between citizens, communities and places of worship.
Europe has built an essential part of its contemporary identity upon freedom of religion, human dignity and equality before the law.
These principles have meaning only when they are upheld during difficult times as well, including when those concerned belong to a minority.
The European Muslims League will therefore continue to firmly denounce documented incidents of hatred and discrimination against Muslims, always distinguishing facts from perceptions and legitimate criticism from genuine manifestations of intolerance.
At the same time, it will continue to promote dialogue with other religious communities and with institutions.
Because defending a Muslim who is a victim of hatred does not mean defending only a Muslim.
It means defending the principle that no human being should be judged, discriminated against or hated simply because of the faith they profess.
And that is a principle that belongs to everyone.
European Muslims League (EML)
Defending Muslims Without Creating New Enemies
