23 March 2012

In Europe, pushed closer to Islam's margins

.... French leaders have obviously not been listening. In the lead-up to the April presidential election, anti-Islamic rhetoric has reached a feverish pitch and, with the Toulouse killings, will only get worse.

For moderates such as Mr. Barkati, it’s a worrisome trend: Attacking Islam wholesale will only further divide the Muslim community and push more youths into the arms of radicals.

“People like Wilders are hurting us,” he told me back in 2010. “We are trying to unite Muslims, so we can all live together in peace. But when Europe’s political leaders start to attack Islam, they only strengthen the Salafis. And I fear there will be more bloodshed as a result.” [Globe and Mail] Read more