Victims of intimidation

November 10th, 2008 by Monitor

The latest Centre for Social Cohesion report tells the stories of 27 European Muslims who have been intimidated by extremists. Their “crimes” range from the criticism or rejection of Islam, to behaviour deemed unacceptable by those who set themselves up as judges of such things.

The 107-page report consists mainly of the stories of these 27, who come from various backgrounds. They are:

Politicians

  • Ahmed Aboutaleb
  • Mimount Bousakla
  • Ekin Deligöz
  • Ehsan Jami
  • Naser Khader
  • Samira Munir
  • Nyamko Sabuni
  • Manu Sareen

Journalists

  • Magdi Allam
  • Reda Hassaine
  • Nosheen Ilyas
  • Mohamed Sifaoui

Actvists

  • Mina Ahadi
  • Seyran Ates
  • Mansur Escudero
  • Maryam Namazie
  • Kadra Noor

Writers & Academics

  • Afshin Ellian
  • Salman Rushdie
  • Mohammad Anwar Shaikh
  • Ibn Warraq

Artists

  • Rachid Ben Ali
  • Sooreh Hera
  • Shabana Rehman
  • Omar Sharif
  • Deepika Thathaal

You can read their stories by downloading this PDF.

The report concludes,

A situation in which significant numbers of Europe’s ethnic minority citizens are unable to peacefully express themselves is clearly unac- ceptable. It is the duty of European governments to protect the rights of all their citizens regardless of their race or religion. European gov- ernments need to do more to actively promote and defend every indi- vidual’s right to freedom of speech and expression as well as raise the level of tolerance towards all those of immigrant backgrounds, many of whom have come to Europe to escape repressive and despotic regimes. Governments also need to pursue and prosecute those who actively seek to intimidate others through threats of violence. Through doing so, European governments will be able to promote greater religious and social harmony by demonstrating that they see Muslims and those of Muslim background as full and complete citizens, neither restricted in their freedoms nor unduly permitted to issue threats against others, being free instead to enjoy the right to peaceful self-expression, self- determination and existence: the birthright of all human beings.


Comments are closed.