The debate “Europe is failing its Muslims” took place on 2010 February 23rd at Cadogan Hall in London, in association with BBC World News and the British Council. Arguing in favour of the motion were Tariq Ramadan and Petra Stienen; against the motion were Douglas Murray and Flemming Rose. The Chair was Zeinab Badawi.
Tariq Ramadan, “Europe Is Failing Its Muslims“
As the first speaker in favour of the motion Tariq Ramadan states his belief that Europe has failed its Muslims in various different ways. It has allowed a political discourse in which Muslims, like the Turks and Bosnians, are not viewed as European citizens and has neglected to recognise the historical contribution of Muslim philosophers and scientists in forging the continent’s identity, or the economic contribution of Muslims since World War II.
Arguing against the motion Douglas Murray states that Islam is associated with violence for good reasons; it wasn’t Buddhists or Atheists who were responsible for the 9/11 or 7/7 attacks. He says that the Muslim population has grown extraordinarily fast – from barely anything in the mid 20th century to between 15 and 17 million at the start of the 21st – and has been relatively successful. But there had been a failure of leadership among Muslim leaders, many of who were paid generously by European governments. The current leader of the Muslim Council of Britain couldn’t even condemm stoning.
Europe is not failing its Muslims.
But Islam has failed Europe
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