Islam is a part of the European community

Dubai: With 26 million Muslims living in Europe, Islam is a part of the European community, an expert said.

Saeed Al Lawindi, writer and expert in international political affairs, Al Ahram Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, spoke at the Arab Media Forum session ‘Islamophobia: Is the media doing enough to reserve perception?’

Stating that no country can be labelled ‘Islamophobic,’ Al Lawindi said there was a common attitude in the West which linked Muslims with terrorism.

“Any Middle Eastern is considered a terrorist unless proven otherwise,” he said.

Pointing out that the Middle East is seen as an incubator of terrorism, Al Lawindi added that Islamophobia also exists within the Arab world, referring to the Muslim Brotherhood.

“Every day, 36 Europeans convert to Islam. So, I do not think it will be easy to ignore or avoid Islam’s growing influence in the West, although there is a fear that the ‘Green Enemy’ — or Islam — could replace the ‘Red Enemy’ — or the now defunct Soviet Union, among many Westerners.”