Dear Editor
The rise of anti-Semitism and the spread of Islam throughout Europe is very much disturbing and cause for concern. Accompanying such troubling developments is a level of violence and intolerance for other peoples and religions that have not been seen since World War II. This is reinforced by the fact that the Grand Synagogue in Paris closed its door for the first time since WWII as well as recent attacks on Jews in Belgium.
It appears that Western values of democracy, freedom of thought and freedom of expression are now the target of a radical branch of Islam. The 'Islamisation' of Europe and recent attacks on people deemed different have done irreparable damage not only to Islam as a religion, but will also have severe implications for immigration and other social issues.
The recent attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France, which resulted in the deaths of twelve individuals, including a number of cartoonists, has reinforced the intolerance and hatred the human spirit has cultivated. It appears that now is the time for the leadership of Islam to come out and condemn those extremists who are doing more to drive a wedge between world religions. The time is now for religious world leaders and heads of government to engage in constructive discussion to try and pacify ongoing issues. More needs to be done also to integrate young Muslims into societies. Too many of these young Muslims feel a sense of alienation and isolation, which is a recipe for them to be sucked into these terrorist organisations.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
The time for unity is now
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The rise of anti-Semitism and the spread of Islam throughout Europe is very much disturbing and cause for concern. Accompanying such troubling developments is a level of violence and intolerance for other peoples and religions that have not been seen since World War II. This is reinforced by the fact that the Grand Synagogue in Paris closed its door for the first time since WWII as well as recent attacks on Jews in Belgium.
It appears that Western values of democracy, freedom of thought and freedom of expression are now the target of a radical branch of Islam. The 'Islamisation' of Europe and recent attacks on people deemed different have done irreparable damage not only to Islam as a religion, but will also have severe implications for immigration and other social issues.
The recent attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, France, which resulted in the deaths of twelve individuals, including a number of cartoonists, has reinforced the intolerance and hatred the human spirit has cultivated. It appears that now is the time for the leadership of Islam to come out and condemn those extremists who are doing more to drive a wedge between world religions. The time is now for religious world leaders and heads of government to engage in constructive discussion to try and pacify ongoing issues. More needs to be done also to integrate young Muslims into societies. Too many of these young Muslims feel a sense of alienation and isolation, which is a recipe for them to be sucked into these terrorist organisations.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
www.wayaine.blogspot.com
The time for unity is now
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