Omur Orhun, OSCE's Representative on Combating anti-Islamic prejudice, speaks exclusively to Magda El-Ghitany about the status and future of Muslims in Europe In November 2004, the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) -- the world's largest regional security body, which includes 55 states in addition to eight Mediterranean partners, of which Egypt is one -- agreed to appoint, alongside a monitor for anti-Semitism, a personal representative for combating intolerance and discrimination against Muslims. Omur Orhun, former Turkish ambassador and coordinator of the Broader Middle East Initiative, was chosen for the post in December 2004. Orhun's task is "to facilitate better coordination" among OSCE member states in their efforts "to combat intolerance and discrimination against Muslims". In pursuance of this goal, Orhun began a series of trips to a number of European countries, meeting with European officials as well as representatives of non-governmental bodies to raise "public awareness" regarding forms of discrimination and to encourage the consideration of Muslims "as an integrated part of Europe's mainstream societies, like any other group". Orhun admits that delivering this message of tolerance was far from easy. "There are agreed upon international norms and also domestic laws of each European state that forbid all forms of religious, ethnic-motivated discrimination. But there is certainly a problem, as far as implementing these laws towards Muslim communities is concerned," he said. Indeed, the 9/11 attacks, Madrid bombings, the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo Van Gogh and the 7 July London bombings intensified Muslims' "already existing feeling of stigmatisation". Even before 9/11, Orhun argues there existed "uneasiness between Christianity and Islam". Being diplomatic, Orhun declines to characterise the current status of Muslims as either "good or bad", but one generalisation he could make is that the situation needs to improve and "needs to be addressed collectively". Muslims in Europe are now confronted with "structural and behavioural problems", according to Orhun. "They face discrimination in health care systems, housing, education, and most importantly, in labour markets." More generally, to publicly express hostility towards Muslims in ways that were previously unacceptable has become more common. Muslims are sometimes subject to violence, ranging from verbal abuse to bomb attacks on mosques and schools. Moreover, "anyone whose appearance has any affiliation with Islam" risks being mistreated. "Any one living in a European country, or meeting a European official, while having a beard or wearing a veil, will likely be regarded as suspect," Orhun said. "He or she will be asked more questions and will be kept longer, for any reason." Even if this does not always hold, the fact that this is "possible" is in itself "the main reason why job applications from Muslims are not even processed". Further, the way Western media portrays Muslims "affects Europe's general public attitude towards Muslims". "If media reports are one-sided and carry discriminatory images," a hostile climate is "easy to create", Orhun said. Although Orhun argues that giving airtime to the likes of Abu Hamza -- who at best is a marginal figure for Muslims -- is a "stigmatisation of Muslims", he does not directly accuse the Western media of "intentionally doing so". Nonetheless, "willingly or unwillingly", Western media "does reinforce negative perceptions about Muslims", linking them with violence and terrorism. Dealing with the media issue is "quite sensitive", for "censorship is not applicable" in a free world. What is needed is "responsible, accurate, non-biased journalism, which does not encourage hatred and discrimination against any group, especially Muslims". Though Orhun does not consider regulating media as one of his tasks, he suggests the formation of a European voluntary media regulatory body that includes a code of ethics backed up with agreed-upon sanctions. It is not simply a matter of creating equality in public perception. The fact that "their presence in the media is very low" and that "their contribution to Europe's civil life has been noticeably minor," leads to what Orhun sees as the major factor sustaining the poor conditions of Europe's Muslim community: the "inability of Muslims to call for their rights". According to Orhun, it is "not possible to say that Muslims are responsible for their current status". Instead, there is a "two-way psychological barrier" separating Europe's mainstream societies and Muslims. Muslims' participation in civic life -- taking part in general and local elections, for example -- "will definitely help". Both sides must work on changing the current situation. "Muslims now have a duty to clearly distance themselves from terror; to reveal the real tolerant face of Islam, and to condemn terrorist actions." Equally important, Muslims should "work on integrating themselves within European societies". By integration, Orhun means neither "assimilation, nor multiculturalism" -- a "synonym for cultural ghettos". Muslims only have to "demonstrate genuine interest in becoming a productive segment of these societies". While Orhun recognises they are trying, they "should try harder, spread the word with a louder voice". Meanwhile, European governments should help "in facilitating opportunities through which Muslims can become active participants in societies." One vital way to help Muslims counter misperceptions is to support the work of non-governmental bodies. "Relative to other kinds of intolerance," Orhun describes, " Muslim NGOs are noticeably less active. Something must be done to improve such bodies' performance." At the supranational level work can also be done. Turkey's possible entrance to the European Union will "get rid of the concept of clash of civilisations" and "prove that the EU is not a Christian club." For Orhun, if fragile, there is reason to be optimistic: "It is hard to predict tomorrow. But Europe will likely embrace its Muslim communities, if not now."
