European Muslim Initiative

Press Release –

Forum for Future of European Democracies and Muslim Communities

“European Muslims gather in Turkey to discuss their future”

Strasbourg, 11 May 2012

The Forum for Future of European Democracies and Muslim Communities, addressing in specific European Muslims and their future, co-organized by EMISCO and COJEP International, was held in Istanbul on 10-11 May 2012 with the kind hospitality of Istanbul Commerce University’s EU Center.

The Forum was supported by Turkish Ministry for EU Affairs, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Municipalities of Esenler, Zeytinburnu, Bahçesehir, Esenyurt and Bahçelievler. The Forum was attended by a large number of NGO representatives, academicians, media representatives and politicians, coming from European countries, Turkey and many Muslim majority countries.

Minister of Public Administration of the Republic of Kosovo, State Minister of the Republic of Macedonia,  Former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, President of the Conference of INGOs of the Council of Europe, Deputy Under Secretary of the Turkish Ministry of EU Affairs, Honorary President of the European Muslim Union, Rector of the Istanbul Commerce University and President of COJEP International welcomed the participants and explained the purpose of the Forum.

The Forum was organized in four Panels addressing: “Future of European Democracies: Freedom or Security?”; “European Muslims in the political arena”; “Where Europe is going and wants to go? What is its identity»; and “What should be the role of the Media and State regarding the future of European Muslim Communities in the political arena?”.

European democracies are encountering deep socio-economic, political and societal crisis. European democracies, which claim that they respect fundamental rights of its citizens, are now experiencing rise of racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and violent extremism. This negative development is not only a threat to democracy, but also causes fear and restlessness among the ethnic and religious minorities. It is also an obstacle to positive development towards living together and cohesiveness, as well as promotion of basic freedoms.

Many political leaders are on record stating that multiculturalism is dead and they accuse Muslim communities as the main cause of this failure. Needless to say, those statements are not backed by any scientific research or data. They are the product of populism and political considerations, which curtail the presence of Muslim communities through restrictive laws leading to xenophobic reactions. At the same time, democratic demands of the Muslim communities are ignored. There is as well scarce acknowledgment of the valuable contributions of Muslim communities to all dimensions of European development.

In this difficult situation, it is clear that Muslim communities need moral and political support in convincing decision makers in Europe to change their anti-Muslim discourse and consider them as  full citizens. Such recourse must have a real political legitimacy based on reciprocal knowledge, a mutual dialogue and understanding.

To achieve these objectives, it is necessary that all governments strengthen their relations and co-operation with NGOs and representatives of Muslim communities in Europe. To assist this vital effort, the Annual Forum for the Future of European Democracies and Muslim communities has been put in motion.

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Panelists of the Forum shared their experiences, views, analysis and recommendations on the important issues under discussion. A lively debate followed these presentations.

The following points were highlighted:

– The ongoing revolutions in the Muslim countries of the Middle East are a testimony to the reality that human rights and democracy are fully part of Islamic values.

– Muslim identity is part of European identity and Islam is also a European religion.

– The Muslim communities are a positive force for transformation and change towards pluralistic European societies.

– The Muslim communities accept the secular context of Europe.

– The Muslim communities are promoting the evolution from multicultural to intercultural European societies.

– Diversity among Muslim communities should be recognized and accepted by all.

– Muslim communities are profoundly concerned by the rise of Islamophobia, as also recently confirmed by the Amnesty International.

– Islamophobia, discrimination and intolerance against Muslims is a clear affront to their human rights and dignity, and should be tackled not through a theological approach, but through application of universally accepted human rights values and principles, of which Islamic values are an integral part. These values and principles include freedom of religion and freedom of expression and prohibition of incitement of racial, religious and national hatred.

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To achieve these aims, Muslim communities are promoting working closely with governments, international organizations and civil society initiatives to combat racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, discrimination against Roma and all other vulnerable groups.