International

UAE expert says Islam is a part of European community

Ahad, 21 Juli 2013 | 08:37 WIB

Dubai, NU Online
Islam is growing at rapid rate all over the world and this phenomena is amazing especially in the European continent where number of Muslims are growing more rapidly than other parts of the world.<>

An expert of the United Arab Emirates shared his views on the progress of Islam in Europe and he established that Islam has become a part of the European community which is evident from 26 million Muslims living in the European countries.

The expert, Saeed Al Lawindi, who is a writer and expert in international political affairs at Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, was speaking at the Arab Media Forum session titled “Islamophobia: Is the media doing enough to reserve perception?”

He stated that no country can be labeled “Islamophobic.” He also said that there is a common attitude in the West which linked Muslims with terrorism.

“Any Middle Eastern is considered a terrorist unless proven otherwise,” he added.

Pointing out that the Middle East is seen as an incubator of terrorism, Al Lawindi said that Islamophobia also exists within the Arab world, referring to the Muslim Brotherhood.

“Every day, 36 Europeans convert to Islam. So, I do not think it will be easy to ignore or avoid Islam’s growing influence in the West, although there is a fear that the ‘Green Enemy’ — or Islam — could replace the ‘Red Enemy’ — or the now defunct Soviet Union, among many Westerners,” Al Lawindi concluded.

Editing by Sudarto Murtaufiq