The Increase of Muslim Population in Europe and America and the Exacerbation of Islamophobia

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. The 28 EU member states have a combined Muslim population of approximately 25 million. Due to higher birth rates and the continuous influx of new immigrants, this number could reach 71 million by 2050, accounting for 11.2% of the population; under a high migration scenario, it might even reach 75.5 million, constituting 14% of the population

. In France, for instance, 40%-60% of newborns in Paris have a Muslim background

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. Within the Islamic political context, secularism is controversial and often carries negative connotations, as it seeks to eliminate the influence of Islamic teachings in the political and legal spheres

. The historical combination of secularism and colonialism has further intensified the Muslim community’s fear and aversion to secularism, with the latter often labelled as a tool of colonial ideological aggression

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. This sense of “religious identity first” makes it difficult for European Muslims to truly integrate into the European secular society, which is predominantly Christian in culture

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. According to a Gallup global survey on Islamophobia, European Muslims are among the groups least desired as neighbours by local residents

. The proportions of respondents in Germany, the UK, and France who viewed wearing the hijab as a threat to European culture were 16%, 30%, and 39% respectively

. Similarly, the percentages of those who believed Muslims were sympathetic to Al-Qaeda were 23%, 34%, and 25% respectively

. Data from the Pew Research Center in 2019 further indicated that in major European countries, the proportion of the public holding unfavourable views of Muslims generally exceeded 20%

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. Against this backdrop, Muslims often face discrimination in employment and social life. Research based on data from the UK’s Office for National Statistics found that among ethnic minorities in the UK, Muslims face the most severe employment discrimination, with the lowest likelihood of obtaining jobs or managerial positions

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. Pew Research Center surveys from 2007 to 2017 show that over a decade, legislative restrictions on religious practices for Muslim groups increased across Europe

. This includes comprehensive or partial bans on religious symbols and attire in public places, such as France’s nationwide ban on face coverings in 2011

. Furthermore, some countries have imposed more restrictions on Islamic activities in public spaces

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. These events have heightened fear of Islam among the public.

. Furthermore, between late 2014 and early 2015, three mosques were bombed within 10 days in Sweden

. Such violent incidents foster a vicious cycle: terrorist attacks fuel public fear of Muslims, leading to stricter surveillance and exclusionary policies against Muslim communities. This sense of exclusion can, in turn, deepen the marginalization felt by some Muslims, potentially making them more susceptible to extremist ideologies

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. Europe had long underestimated the dangers stemming from the Middle East situation

. Ongoing conflicts and instability in the Middle East have driven a large number of refugees to Europe for asylum, among whom individuals with extremist ideologies may be included

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. Far-right parties have gained significant support by exaggerating the negative impacts of the refugee crisis, emphasizing the threats they believe Muslim immigration poses, and stoking hatred between mainstream society and Muslim immigrants

. Parties such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD), the Austrian Freedom Party (FPÖ), the National Rally (FN) in France, the League in Italy, and the UK Independence Party (UKIP) have seen their influence grow

. Although these parties do not necessarily win parliamentary majorities, they exert a decisive influence on their countries’ cultural and political landscapes

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. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron criticized “state multiculturalism” in a landmark speech, calling for “less of the passive tolerance of recent years and a much more active, muscular liberalism”

. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized stricter oversight of Muslim schools and mosque funding, enforcing rigid secular principles to combat “Islamic separatism”

. Furthermore, the influx of refugees has challenged EU agreements like the Schengen Agreement and the Dublin Regulation, with some member states reinstating border controls, thereby undermining the integrity of the Schengen system

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. The rise of these parties reflects and further fuels societal fears and exclusionary tendencies towards Muslims.

. To break the vicious cycle of Islamophobia, multiple strategies are required:

. As Turkish Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın pointed out, Europe cannot build a better future by fighting Islam, and Islamic and Western societies need to understand each other better

. Defining a pluralistic identity while marginalizing Islam and discriminating against Muslims is not feasible

. How to respect multiculturalism while maintaining common values will be a long-term test for European society

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