Europe’s Changing Face

Despite the fact Europeans have always been among Israel’s harshest critics, more and more European nations are following in Israel’s footsteps by building walls, generally to keep out Muslims. The only difference is that the walls the Europeans are building aren’t physical. Rather, they’re legislative.

Right-wing parties and platforms are growing all over Europe, with the intent of keeping “Denmark for the Danes” and “Sweden for the Swedes” and… well, you get my point.

Europeans are fearful of the huge influx of Muslims into their countries. Muslims who don’t want to assimilate into the local culture, but wish to maintain their own ways and customs and religious beliefs. Many Europeans believe this will lead to a Muslim majority in the relatively near future, and potentially a FUNDAMENTALIST Muslim society taking over the Western world and the entire world. So here, according to one article, is what is going on.

• The UK has put a cap on immigrants from OUTSIDE of the EU.
• Switzerland had a referendum in 2009 that banned construction of minarets in the country
• Similarly, Austria’s Freedom Party wants to ban minarets
• France has imposed a legislative ban on face veils in public
• Norway’s anti-immigration “Progress Party” won 23% of the vote in the last election
• Sweden’s anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim party won 20 seats in its parliament and neighbouring Denmark ‘s “People’s Party” won 13.8% of the vote in its last elections.

Some groups are quick to accuse these parties and countries of racism and xenophobia. And it’s likely that at least some of the issue is rooted there. But it’s also true that Europe has cultures that have existed and thrived for a VERY long time. The sudden changes demanded by some minority groups are worrisome, and seem like an affront to European culture and history. It’s no wonder some countries are pushing back.

Frankly, I believe in assimilation. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I’m not saying people should abandon their religion entirely. It makes no sense to me that people choose to go to new places, and then demand that the locals accommodate them - or change to suit them. If I go to Moslem countries, am I not expected to conform to their customs. So I don’t believe that burkas and chadors should be worn on the streets of my city OR that Sharia law should apply in segments of my country. I don’t believe in what they stand for. And I guess many Europeans feel the same way.