Cleric fears Muslim Holocaust in Europe

First Published 2007-03-02, Last Updated 2007-03-02 11:22:56


Could history repeat itself – again and again?

Cleric fears Muslim Holocaust in Europe

Ceric urges European authorities to realize seriousness of Islamophobia, likens it to anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany.

LONDON - Muslims in Europe could face a genocidal Holocaust like that suffered by Jews in the 1930s, top Bosnian Islamic cleric Mustafa Ceric has warned.

In an interview with BBC World Service radio to be aired this weekend, he said European authorities should realize the seriousness of Islamophobic feeling, which he likened to anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany.

"Europe had this experience of anti-Semitism and Europe experienced Holocaust," he added.

And he said: "This Holocaust, even though it was against the Jewish people at the time, it was more against Europe itself because Europe now has to live with this Holocaust and apologize for what has been done.

"I wish that Islamaphobia that is now (in place) in Europe and in the West will not result in a Muslim Holocaust," he said.

Ceric pointed out that Muslims has already suffered genocide in Europe -- in his own country during the early 1990s wars which ripped the former Yugoslavia apart, plunging the Balkan region into ethnic bloodshed.

"As Europeans we should not get into this adventure again," he said, adding that while Europe said "never again" after the Holocaust, genocide had taken place in Bosnia.

Ceric, speaking in the interview to be aired on Saturday at 0730 GMT and Sunday at 1200 GMT, also said Muslims have to learn to interact more with the societies in which they live, and learn their values.

"If the Muslims do not accept the fact that they have to learn about democracy not only within the larger context of the European community but within their own community... then I think the Muslims will be in a position to fear what will happen in their future," he said.

"On the other hand I think the European governments cannot speak anymore about Muslims," he said.

"Europe must start speaking with Muslims and hear what they have to say and help them to make their place in society that is responsible, respectable and future looking."

URL: http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/features/?id=19823