Turkish-German University Faculty Member Assoc. Dr. Enes Bayraklı and CAGE UK member Shezana Hafiz attended the panel moderated by human rights activist Maria De Cartena.
Bayraklı, referring to the 'Europe 2021 Enmity of Islam Report', explained the anti-Islamism in Europe, especially in France, with examples. Stating that they have been publishing reports on Enmity of Islam in Europe for 7 years, Bayraklı noted that since 2018, they have been carrying politicians related to anti-Islam on the covers of the reports.
Bayraklı reminded that they put French President Emmanuel Macron, a leader who implemented anti-Islamic policies, on the cover of last year's report.
Drawing attention to the institutionalization of anti-Islamism in Austria and France in Europe, Bayraklı emphasized that the most cases of anti-Islamic discrimination in the world are experienced in this continent.
PIONEER IN ANTI-ISLAM
Bayraklı evaluated that France may be the state with the most problematic past with the Muslim community on its territory among European countries, and stated that 101 units were established in this country to spy on Muslims, and more than 24 thousand Muslim organizations and companies were registered in a secret "black list".
Reminding that France has closed 718 organizations and companies belonging to Muslims, Bayraklı stated that a video of the Council of Europe in which women with veils was featured was removed as a result of pressure from the French government. Bayraklı focused on the role of the racist right regarding the anti-Islamism in Europe.
Hafiz, a member of the London-based human rights defender organization CAGE UK, which aims to defend the communities affected by the fight against terrorism, said, "The state is nothing but a form of authoritarianism with all its anti-Islamic manifestations," and that after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the USA, discourses that portray Muslims as a "threat" were produced. and commented that hatred towards Muslims has become normal.
Noting that Enmity of Islam and Islamophobia are institutionalized through politics and laws, Hafiz emphasized the rise of racist and anti-Islamic views in Europe. Hafiz evaluated that France was encouraged to carry its anti-Islamic approach to neighboring countries.