The EU must take a stand on Islam as well as the refugee situation

Tribune by Massimo D’Alema, President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies and Tariq Ramadan President of the European Muslim Network

Europe is in a paradoxical situation. The tragic challenges that shook Europe in 2015 should have encouraged it to pursue greater political unity and to initiate a debate on Islam. However, the fight against “Islamic terrorism” and the admission of refugees are creating feelings of fear and insecurity, which are pushing people in the opposite direction.

On the one hand, in Europe, xenophobia and racism fuel the idea that the European Union should shut itself in and become a fortress cut off from the rest of the world. On the other hand, there are the migration flows. They cannot be stopped, but must be controlled using the maximum foresight required to avoid serious social, cultural and religious consequences. That is the future of Europe. 

English version of the Tribune

French Version of the Tribune