Report cites international incidents confirming existence of Islamophobia and its alarming implications CAIRO: Many dismiss Islamophobia as the product of a conspiracy theory blown out of proportion or simply as unreal. But according to a United Nations report released this year, the existence of Islamophobia is demonstrated by documented evidence. Citing discriminatory practices in secular, Christian and Muslim countries, the report suggests that contemporary Islamophobia is more political and ideological than religious in nature. The politicalization, and sometimes the indirect legalization, of Islamophobia is one of the alarming findings of this report that touches on issues like the Danish cartoon crisis and the membership of Turkey in the European Union. Titled Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and All Forms of Discrimination: Situation of Muslims and Arab peoples in various parts of the world, the report is currently being discussed at the second meeting of the Human Rights Council, held between Sept. 18 and Oct. 6. In its introduction, the report stresses the link between the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the upsurge of acts and manifestations of violence and discrimination against Muslims and Arabs throughout the world. In this context, Islam continues to be identified with terrorism and Muslim religious observance and Muslims themselves continue to be viewed as a security problem not only in law and discriminatory judicial and administrative practice but also through intellectual and ideological validation of Islamophobia. The report notes several governmental practices that implement subtle discrimination against the Muslim communities. More subtle forms of discrimination have evolved alongside racial profiling, states the report. It argues that the official statement condemning racism in all its forms doesn t mean that countries don t practice racism. It notes that many countries have introduced laws or administrative measures specifically designed to control and monitor such minorities, thereby stigmatizing them even further and legitimating the discrimination that they experience. Factors, continues the report, that exacerbate the discrimination in these laws include far-right racist and xenophobic platforms in the political programs of democratic parties. In addition, while the provisions do not explicitly target a particular community or religion, intellectual and media discourse focuses more and more on Islam and Muslims. Doudo Diene, special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, surveyed several remarkable incidents in the past few years that indicate a growing Islamophobia and subsequent violence and less visible acts of discrimination directed toward Arab and Muslim communities in various parts of the world. In most areas of the world there has been a serious upsurge in manifestations and expressions of discrimination against Muslims and Arab peoples and acts of violence against their places of worship and culture, reads the report. The cited incidents varied in nature, from abstract political issues to concrete incidents. The report referred to the attitude, expressed in official statements regarding Turkey s proposed membership in the EU. To a much greater extent than any other religions, opposition to Islam has been a core element in the construction of European identity since time immemorial. Diene adds that Islamophobia has deep historical roots in Europe. The proposal to incorporate Europe s Christian heritage into the draft European constitution, the report explains, and arguments about Muslim identity that have been used to block Turkey s entry into the European Union, which some would like to restrict to a Christian club, are more modern-day embodiments of a European intellectual and political tradition that is hostile to Islam. Diene also cites the Danish cartoon crisis. Explaining that freedom of expression requires an understanding and tolerance of the communities living within a certain country, Diene says the publication of cartoons defamatory of Islam demonstrates worrying trends underpinning resurgent Islamophobia. He notes an alarming resurgence of defamation of religions, including anti-Semitism and Christianophobia and a special focus on Islamophobia. Diene was also critical of the initial response of the Danish government to the cartoon incident, saying that it failed to show the commitment and vigilance that it normally displays in combating religious intolerance and incitement to religious hatred and promoting religious harmony. He also highlights the central involvement of politicians in national and international impact of manifestations and expressions of Islamophobia. As for the newspapers that chose to publish or republish the cartoons, Diene says they preferred confrontation to dialogue with the domestic and foreign Muslim constituencies that took exception to the cartoons. The report refers to numerous negative impacts of the implementation of Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination. The erosion of democracy and respect for human rights are two of many consequences. Disturbing the unity of societies is another. The report carries various recommendations that start by admitting the existence of Islamophobia. Recommendations also require revision of articles regulating freedom of expression in the light of hatred-enticing defamation of religions. Diene also calls for encouraging dialogue instead of confrontations and for the issue to be addressed through education and information. The recommendations also call for combating the continuous association of Islam with violence and terrorism, with Diene explaining that the media has played a role in spreading this association.
