Muslims in Europe - A European dialogue

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 9th Jun 2005

Speakers from left to right: Ibrahim El-Zayat, Head of Public Relations at the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe; Barbara Nolan, Head of Unit, Anti-Discrimination and Relations with Civil Society in the European Commission; Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Liberal Democrat MEP for London; Sajjad Karim, Liberal Democrat MEP for the North West; Dr. Hamida Palagi, Doctor of Physics and teacher in Strasbourg, France.

British Liberal Democrat MEPs Sarah Ludford from London and Saj Karim from the North-West are spearheading a European Parliament-led dialogue on the position of Muslims in Europe under the banner of the 'European Muslim Forum'.

Both vice-presidents of the European Parliament's Anti-Racism and Diversity Intergroup, they organised this week in Strasbourg the first of a what is expected to be a series of conferences. Under the title Islam in Europe: New Enemy or Old Friend?, speakers from France and Germany as well as the UK called for greater knowledge and respect for difference, but also unity between Muslims and the wider community.

The launch of this platform coincided with the adoption of a European Parliament report on protection of minorities and anti-discrimination policies in an enlarged Europe, with proposals to overcome race, ethnic, sexual and religious discrimination.

Commenting after the conference and adoption of the report Baroness Sarah Ludford, who is European Justice spokeswoman for the Liberal Democrats, said:

'My aim is that the European Muslim Forum helps set up a virtuous circle of engagement between Muslims and non-Muslims on how to ensure that Islam and its adherents are welcome and well integrated in the European mainstream."

"The recent French and Dutch 'No' votes indicated considerable suspicion of immigrants, especially Muslim ones. The kind of honest dialogue we had at this conference helps to bridge the gap in understanding, and promote a consensus that there is strength in diversity within a framework of respect for common values."

Sajjad Karim, who serves on the Sub-Committee on Human Rights said,

"There are currently more than 12 million Muslims living in Europe who need a platform through which they can make their voices heard. The European Muslim Forum can act as a platform for constructive dialogue between both Muslims and non-Muslims. It is our duty to make sure Islam is not hijacked by elements within the mainstream media and presented as an extremist system of beliefs. We must get involved in all aspects of European society and make it known that Muslims are an integral part of Europe and have an active role to play here."

END