British Expert Warns of Provocative Quran Attacks in Europe Aimed at Fueling Negative Stereotypes
Expert Highlights Provocative Quran Attacks to Stoke Negative Stereotypes in Europe
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A wave of deliberate attacks on the Quran in several European countries is allegedly orchestrated by individuals seeking to incite reactions from Muslims, subsequently using these responses to validate their negative narratives about the community. A British expert has shed light on this concerning trend, emphasizing the underlying motives behind the incidents.
Recent months have witnessed a series of distressing events wherein copies of the Quran were defiled and burned by figures with Islamophobic sentiments and far-right groups, primarily concentrated in northern European and Nordic nations. Notably, Sweden and Denmark have been disproportionately affected, with these incidents frequently occurring near mosques and embassies of Muslim countries such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, and Egypt.
Alarming as it is, these provocative acts were allowed by relevant authorities and even conducted under the protection of law enforcement, thereby eliciting condemnation from Muslim nations worldwide. Despite certain European politicians condemning the attacks and issuing apologies, these incidents have reignited discussions about Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiments across the continent.
In an interview with Anadolu, Chris Allen, an expert in hate studies from the University of Leicester, likened this situation to the actions of Terry Jones, the US-based evangelical preacher who initiated one of the first public Quran burnings in 2010 with the intention of inciting reactions from Muslim communities.
Allen explained, "They do it (burning of the Quran) in the hope that those who are much more on the fringe will actually respond, at which point this reinforces their argument that all Muslims, by default, are exactly the same as those responding in a particular way."
He further noted that since that period, far-right and extreme right-wing movements across the Western world have intensified their focus on Muslims and Islam.
Addressing the response of European governments to these incidents, Allen expressed skepticism about their willingness to take substantial action beyond mere condemnations. He suggested that instead of pondering why they are inactive, the question should be whether they will act at all.
Allen elaborated, "I don’t think national governments really care that much about these things ... because I don’t think that they are actually defending minority communities, whether that’s Muslims, refugees, or migrants."
He warned that these incidents, along with condemnations of various minority communities, tend to amplify the messages of right-wing parties and contribute to their electoral success.
Allen also highlighted how far-right views are gradually making their way into mainstream political discourse, citing the example of the Conservative Party in the UK. He pointed out that what far-right groups were saying about Muslims a decade ago is now echoed in mainstream political viewpoints.
The expert cautioned that this escalating cycle of provocation and response could lead to violence if not addressed effectively. He emphasized, "Violence breeds violence in the same way extremism breeds extremism," adding that if someone interprets violence as a legitimate response, the situation could deteriorate even further.
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