Exactly two weeks ago the alliance of D-8 countries presented their coalition - how it operates and the main goals. At the end of presentation the journalist of the UN Herald were given the the time to ask some questions.
As in all states of the D-8 Islam constitute predominant faith, we have been wondering what is their relation to the position of Muslim minorities in the world. The representative of the Indonesia Ms. Tina Orešnik made clear that Islamic minorities are one of the most underprivileged communities of the world. "For decades the global West has been monopolizing each and all aspects of life." said Ms. Orešnik. As an example she pointed out science. Her point was that others have perception that "due to islam "we are incompetent of taking an active and non biased part in every activity related to science",while the same goes for education. "We are not underrepresented but on the other side, YES, we can say that we do not have the same position with other minorities."
With a population of 1.62 billion (23 percent of the world’s population), Muslims live in every country of the world. They are a majority in approximately fifty countries and territories, and live as minorities in 149 countries around the globe. Even as minorities they form significant communities within their countries of residence. In this context we asked D-8 states, what are the main issues that arise between minority Muslim population an majority communities?
The main issues that arise in such cases are mostly the same in every other case where minority and majority communities live together. We strongly believe we have to fight any kind of prejudices, stereotypes, discrimination, violence and consequent conflicts rising on the basis of religious diversity. Muslim minorities, especially in the West, are increasingly becoming ambassadors and advocates of social justice and freedom in their societies. At the same time, they are faced with many challenges on a daily basis, perhaps even more than members of other minorities. What we find especially problematic is the fact that Muslim communities all over the world, but especially in situations, where they are not a part of the majority in a particular country, are more often than not stigmatized in a way. The entire Muslim population of the world is being judged by the actions of a few individuals, who have learnt how to exploit Islam for their own brutal actions that are in no way representative of either Islam or the Muslim population as a whole. This, with the help of media, then gets blown completely out of proportions and the stereotypes, ascribed to the Muslim population, are turned into what the West thinks is the truth.. Nevertheless, Muslim minority communities have the responsibility to integrate (or at least do their best in trying to do so) into the civic and social fabrics of the societies they live in. It is also our duty to do everything that would help the world break out of their prejudices and biased opinions towards Muslim communities."
At this point I would like to remind you on policy band on mosque minarets in Switzerland, face veils in France in Belgium - which only reflects intolerant political and social climate in the Europe of the current time. Muslim minorities often face the issues of integration or identity, another major challenge is counterterrorism, interfaith relations as well as media impact.
We found the short story of Muslim worker from Finland talking about social problems he faces in everyday life: "I am a Muslimah Al-Hamdulillah, and work in plywood factory in Finland named (Finnforest) I have been having a hard time because of my scarf. I can't understand how much they hate Muslims. Saudi Arabia is one of their clients and as Muslimah I can't see the way they cheat in doing the work using bad material... and more over calling Muslims drag heads... Sometime ago I was so upset that they packed with the order some bad picture of women. I can't understand why do they treat Muslims badly and give them a hard time and Muslims keep buying from them when there are better places to do business. Please help me what to do I feel sad and like to warn all from these resist I am working with and who hate Muslims. For 16 years I have been working for them and suffering from their mean behaviour until now. All I hear is get back where you belong."
Secondly we were also interested Which instruments would D-8 as a Muslim countries use in order to ensure the equal treatment of the Muslim minorities in the Western world?
In order to ensure the implementation of the points mentioned above, Muslim countries will seek greater with national institutions which cooperate with Muslim communities. The objective is to facilitate the integration process by providing assistance and counseling in particular issues. Further on, we want to strengthen the already existing bonds between national institutions of the respective host country and the country of origin. We would like to point out; however, that unequal and unfair treatment of Muslim minorities does not take place exclusively in the Western world. Unfortunately the Muslim community suffered attacks on our Rohingya Muslim brothers and sisters in Myanmar. However, we joined our efforts and fought together to guarantee the respect of universal human rights that shall be, without any discrimination, implemented also on all the Muslim minorities in all the world regions.
And for conclusion we asked, how do they see the future of the Muslim communities in the states of their residence around the globe?
There are two different, but mutually interconnected processes which will influence the future construction of the world’s populations, the first being globalization and the second one development resulting from it. The former is likely to increase migrations and liberalize existent legal restrictions which will result in the so far unprecedented mixture of global societies, while the latter might cause the opposite effect with immigrants returning to their home countries, due to improved standards of living and better opportunities in countries that are successfully and rapidly developing right now. These countries are already exceeding national incomes of some old developed countries which were a magnet for working migrants in the past with many of them coming right from the Muslim communities. The question is which of those trends and its consequences will prevail, but either way, we believe that the global society will have the capability to benefit from migration flows and differences and learn to live together. So far we are well on the way of enhancing human rights protection, which should be even strengthened when it comes to minorities. For Muslim minorities, as well as for their countries of origin, it is of great importance that the world accepts them and makes a clear difference between terrorism and Islam. That is the only way to ensure a pleasant cohabitation and dialogue.
References:
Islamweb. 2006. Muslim Minorities All Over the World. Available at: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=showfatwa&Option=FatwaId&Id=91967
Magid, Mohamed Imam and Humera Khan. 2011. The Roles of Muslim-majority and Muslim-Minority Communities in a Global Context. Available at: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/papers/2011/8/muslim%20communities%20magid%20khan/2011%20iwr%20paper%202%20religion%20web.pdf
Marquand, Robert. 2010. “Why ‘Islamophobia’ Is Less Thinly Veiled in Europe,” Christian Science Monitor. Available at: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2010/0905/Why-Islamophobia-is-less-thinly-veiled-in-Europe
