For proof that Islam is capable of making profound adjustments in order to adapt to changing circumstances, you need look no further than Turkey. The Islamic based Justice and Development Party (AKP) has driven more Western style reforms in that country than many former secular administrations. Abdullah Gul, the Foreign Minister, is a great favorite with the Europeans. In fact many observers of the Turkish scene, regard the old style secularists with roots in the reforms of Mustafa Kemal aka 'Ataturk', as moribund and backward in their thinking. Of course there is a reactionary Islamist element in Turkish politics also, and this makes the courage of Gul in moving in the pro-reformist direction all the more remarkable.

To say that the interface between secular Europe and Islam hasn't produced radical changes within the immigrant Muslim community is to be willfully blind. Many positive developments are going on, and this process of adaptation and integration will be hastened if a positive pro-active approach takes precedence over the paranoid view that Muslim participation entails a takeover of 'Christendom'. Americans of all people should know this. It wasn't long ago that the Catholic Irish were regarded as the threat within. Signs bearing the cautionary words "no Irish need apply" appeared in windows in some quarters. Back then if you suggested that a Catholic of Irish lineage could be elected President, they would have thought you were nuts. Yet now the Catholic Irish are front and center in American life, and all of that paranoia and hype has been long forgotten.

Muslims are human beings who suffer and bleed like the rest of us. If they believe they are being treated as the barbarians at the gate, a minority will of course resort to criminal and reactionary strategies. This isn't peculiar to Muslims. It's a human trait.

I believe Europe must stand firm by the great achievements of its secular societies, while attempting to find some common ground with newcomers who most of all want to feel included. The fastest way to destroy all hope in this great European social experiment, is to fall back on a knee jerk "them and us" mentality that appropriates neutral ground in the name of a war of civilization

The problem with a good deal of the rhetoric that presents Islam as a threat to Europe, is that much of it is alarmist and exaggerated. I bought into the alarmist view, until I took a closer look behind the scenes at what is actually going on in the immigrant communities of Europe. Nobody can deny that there are both threats and challenges to be faced, but the rhetoric coming from some circles on the right makes use of selective evidence in order to scare up a reaction. The constant refrain from these forums is unvarying in its negativity. With Chicken Little conviction they warn the complacent and the gullible that "the Muslims are coming ... the Muslims are coming". This type of characterization lacks discrimination. The same large brush is used for every stroke.

A number of right wing forums cite rape stats from countries such as Sweden and Norway. Some of the figures indicate that a disproportionate number of rapists are of immigrant origin. These stats are offered up, not to generate discussion about possible causes, but in an effort to instill the conviction that civilization is under threat. Some pundits go so far as to argue that Muslim males conspire to sexually assault unveiled Western women because such women are guilty of violating Islamic standards. There may be some truth to this in a minority of cases, but in most instances such rationales are offered as an alibi by perpetrators after-the-fact. Most of these guys aren't convincing in the role of zealots on rape missions from Allah. However the commentators rarely point out such fine distinctions, nor do they make the observation that many immigrants only identify passively with Islam (quite a number rarely darken the door of a mosque). Nor do they consider that many newcomers are unemployed, have anger issues, are alienated from the greater society and are in possession of the belief that they have nothing much to lose.

Americans I speak to these days often complain about the crimes allegedly committed by illegal migrants, mostly of Mexican origin. However no big deal is made about the fact that most of these migrants are Catholic. Their crimes aren't portrayed as a Catholic conspiracy because to do so would strike any reasonable person as patently absurd. The immigrant challenges in Europe and America aren't analogous, but in both cases religion is rarely the prime motivator when it comes to sexual and property crimes.

Not so long ago, a young woman in Sweden was savagely gang raped by immigrants of Somali origin. The victim happened to be a fair haired Caucasian. When she reported the rape, a photograph was taken showing her face and hair streaked with blood. A very disturbing photograph. It was seized upon by a number of conservative pundits as evidence of the dastardly deeds being committed against the women of Europe by immigrant Muslims, many of whom happen to be African in origin. The attempt to appropriate an atrocity of this sort as symbol, is typical of the attitude that drives some hard line conservative thinking, bent and determined as it is to wake up sleeping demons and stir up reaction. It's not unlike the whipping up of communal rage back in Jim Crow days in the southern States. In that era white victims of 'racial' rape were routinely objectified in an effort to paint the African male as a degenerate sex demon driven by Dionysiac lust. That type of blatantly racist stereotyping doesn't play as well these days, but nonetheless, behind a lot of the alarmist photographs and commentary, there is the meta-message that Muslims are the primary suspects - predators and assassins lurking in our midst, just waiting for their opportunity to strike.

You almost never see any posts on these forums that take time to explore the day-to-day human realities of Muslim communities in Europe, the struggle of individuals to adapt. Nor are they inclined much to talk about Muslims who have defected to a more secular lifestyle, or those who have defected to the enemy - become Christian. Why not? Well because none of that caters to the central motivation, which is to demonize and cast the Muslim immigrant as 'other'. A threat whichever way you cut it.

Those who create a stockade mentality in some cases lose touch with reality. The views of such people are pre-conditioned by their prejudices. Everything is a conspiracy. People of goodwill who seek to reach out across the divide in search for viable solutions are regarded as fools, ostriches and even traitors. The stockade mentality is defined by hubris and defiance. Naturally their prejudices are re-enforced by their experiences, because when you traffic in negativity that's what you can expect to get back in return. It's a closed-circuit world they live in, where the only messages received are the ones that confirm their version of reality. I'm unclear what these crusading pundits are defending exactly. Militant Christendom of the crusading ilk exists mainly in the imaginations of people who adhere to a view of European civilization that is rooted in the past and heading into the twilight. The reactionary tendencies in countries like Poland and among groups of nationalist fanatics will not lead to some latter-day revival of an identity that has gradually been falling out of fashion.

Writers such as Mark Steyn and others dismiss the secular identities of Europe as "decadent" and seem nostalgic for the days of warrior guardians-of-hearth-and-home with wives who double as baby making machines. At times Mark is right on the money in his columns. He's a guy who can write with great skill and offers up refreshingly original opinion, but this is an absurd and anachronistic view, that misrepresents what is actually going on in Europe. Not every Muslim fits the stereotype, nor does every advocate of secular values ... this must be an annoying departure from the script for those scribes who love nothing more than typecasting their villains.

The increasing paranoia in response to the growing Muslim presence, evokes memories of the xenophobia that kicked in as the whispers about the Jews back in the pre-WW2 period built to a loud roar. The Jews had less of a demographic presence, but no less clout in terms of their perceived wealth and influence. All of it of course regarded as nefarious and deeply suspect in the mind of the mob. I fear that some alarmists these days are feeding the same beast and heading blindly down a path of unseen consequence. At a minimum, this is irresponsible.

Are there problems with Islam? Yes absolutely. Repressive social codes, archaic customs and superstitions, the tendency among the militant to try and force their agenda on society at large, prejudice toward homosexuality, a lack of equality for women and the unfortunate tendency on the part of the militant to politicize their faith. These inclinations fly in the face of the values celebrated in our civil societies, and Muslims also have a responsibility to examine those features of their religion that prevent greater integration. As a path is cleared for them, should they prove unable to make necessary accommodations, they can hardly lay the blame at the feet of the host communities. In a partnership, there has to be give and take on both sides.

Europe needs bodies. It needs babies. The argument that the birth rate is falling, often conveniently overlooks the children born to Muslim immigrants since they are viewed as a sort of pediatric fifth column. Little attention is given to the fact that Muslim youths are by and large a lot more secular than their parents and grandparents. Good lord, even Asmaa Abdol-Hamid, a devout young woman who is hoping to be the first female Muslim to take a seat in the Folketing, the Danish parliament, is a self-declared feminist. Moreover she supports abortion rights, has gay friends, opposes the death penalty and claims she couldn't care less what goes on in people's bedrooms. Of course predictably the right refuse to cut her any slack and view her as a puppet for the evil machinations of Islamists. All of which is a little too simplistic, because no matter who is pulling her strings, if elected she will be compelled to adapt to the protocols that govern Danish politics and will in no sense have it all her own way. But isn't this what democracy is about?

The war if there has to be one, should be against the excessive influence of religion - all religion - in the public square. Religion has its place, but should not be allowed to threaten secular values that attempt to create a level playing field for all. In this context, men and women of Muslim heritage should not be typecast as "Islamic". We are talking of unique individuals with differing views on the role of their religion in the West. Prototypical Muslims only exist in comic books. The European Muslim community is becoming increasingly diverse and there is a trend among progressive Muslims in the West and parts of the the Middle East to view religion as a private concern.

For proof that Islam is capable of making profound adjustments in order to adapt to changing circumstances, you need look no further than Turkey. The Islamic based Justice and Development Party (AKP) has driven more Western style reforms in that country than many former secular administrations. Abdullah Gul, the Foreign Minister, is a great favorite with the Europeans. In fact many observers of the Turkish scene, regard the old style secularists with roots in the reforms of Mustafa Kemal aka 'Ataturk', as moribund and backward in their thinking. Of course there is a reactionary Islamist element in Turkish politics also, and this makes the courage of Gul in moving in the pro-reformist direction all the more remarkable.

To say that the interface between secular Europe and Islam hasn't produced radical changes within the immigrant Muslim community is to be willfully blind. Many positive developments are going on, and this process of adaptation and integration will be hastened if a positive pro-active approach takes precedence over the paranoid view that Muslim participation entails a takeover of 'Christendom'. Americans of all people should know this. It wasn't long ago that the Catholic Irish were regarded as the threat within. Signs bearing the cautionary words "no Irish need apply" appeared in windows in some quarters. Back then if you suggested that a Catholic of Irish lineage could be elected President, they would have thought you were nuts. Yet now the Catholic Irish are front and center in American life, and all of that paranoia and hype has been long forgotten.

Muslims are human beings who suffer and bleed like the rest of us. If they believe they are being treated as the barbarians at the gate, a minority will of course resort to criminal and reactionary strategies. This isn't peculiar to Muslims. It's a human trait.

I believe Europe must stand firm by the great achievements of its secular societies, while attempting to find some common ground with newcomers who most of all want to feel included. The fastest way to destroy all hope in this great European social experiment, is to fall back on a knee jerk "them and us" mentality that appropriates neutral ground in the name of a war of civilizations

absurd. The immigrant challenges in Europe and America aren't analogous, but in both cases religion is rarely the prime motivator when it comes to sexual and property crimes.

Not so long ago, a young woman in Sweden was savagely gang raped by immigrants of Somali origin. The victim happened to be a fair haired Caucasian. When she reported the rape, a photograph was taken showing her face and hair streaked with blood. A very disturbing photograph. It was seized upon by a number of conservative pundits as evidence of the dastardly deeds being committed against the women of Europe by immigrant Muslims, many of whom happen to be African in origin. The attempt to appropriate an atrocity of this sort as symbol, is typical of the attitude that drives some hard line conservative thinking, bent and determined as it is to wake up sleeping demons and stir up reaction. It's not unlike the whipping up of communal rage back in Jim Crow days in the southern States. In that era white victims of 'racial' rape were routinely objectified in an effort to paint the African male as a degenerate sex demon driven by Dionysiac lust. That type of blatantly racist stereotyping doesn't play as well these days, but nonetheless, behind a lot of the alarmist photographs and commentary, there is the meta-message that Muslims are the primary suspects - predators and assassins lurking in our midst, just waiting for their opportunity to strike.

You almost never see any posts on these forums that take time to explore the day-to-day human realities of Muslim communities in Europe, the struggle of individuals to adapt. Nor are they inclined much to talk about Muslims who have defected to a more secular lifestyle, or those who have defected to the enemy - become Christian. Why not? Well because none of that caters to the central motivation, which is to demonize and cast the Muslim immigrant as 'other'. A threat whichever way you cut it.

Those who create a stockade mentality in some cases lose touch with reality. The views of such people are pre-conditioned by their prejudices. Everything is a conspiracy. People of goodwill who seek to reach out across the divide in search for viable solutions are regarded as fools, ostriches and even traitors. The stockade mentality is defined by hubris and defiance. Naturally their prejudices are re-enforced by their experiences, because when you traffic in negativity that's what you can expect to get back in return. It's a closed-circuit world they live in, where the only messages received are the ones that confirm their version of reality. I'm unclear what these crusading pundits are defending exactly. Militant Christendom of the crusading ilk exists mainly in the imaginations of people who adhere to a view of European civilization that is rooted in the past and heading into the twilight. The reactionary tendencies in countries like Poland and among groups of nationalist fanatics will not lead to some latter-day revival of an identity that has gradually been falling out of fashion.

Writers such as Mark Steyn and others dismiss the secular identities of Europe as "decadent" and seem nostalgic for the days of warrior guardians-of-hearth-and-home with wives who double as baby making machines. At times Mark is right on the money in his columns. He's a guy who can write with great skill and offers up refreshingly original opinion, but this is an absurd and anachronistic view, that misrepresents what is actually going on in Europe. Not every Muslim fits the stereotype, nor does every advocate of secular values ... this must be an annoying departure from the script for those scribes who love nothing more than typecasting their villains.

The increasing paranoia in response to the growing Muslim presence, evokes memories of the xenophobia that kicked in as the whispers about the Jews back in the pre-WW2 period built to a loud roar. The Jews had less of a demographic presence, but no less clout in terms of their perceived wealth and influence. All of it of course regarded as nefarious and deeply suspect in the mind of the mob. I fear that some alarmists these days are feeding the same beast and heading blindly down a path of unseen consequence. At a minimum, this is irresponsible.

Are there problems with Islam? Yes absolutely. Repressive social codes, archaic customs and superstitions, the tendency among the militant to try and force their agenda on society at large, prejudice toward homosexuality, a lack of equality for women and the unfortunate tendency on the part of the militant to politicize their faith. These inclinations fly in the face of the values celebrated in our civil societies, and Muslims also have a responsibility to examine those features of their religion that prevent greater integration. As a path is cleared for them, should they prove unable to make necessary accommodations, they can hardly lay the blame at the feet of the host communities. In a partnership, there has to be give and take on both sides.

Europe needs bodies. It needs babies. The argument that the birth rate is falling, often conveniently overlooks the children born to Muslim immigrants since they are viewed as a sort of pediatric fifth column. Little attention is given to the fact that Muslim youths are by and large a lot more secular than their parents and grandparents. Good lord, even Asmaa Abdol-Hamid, a devout young woman who is hoping to be the first female Muslim to take a seat in the Folketing, the Danish parliament, is a self-declared feminist. Moreover she supports abortion rights, has gay friends, opposes the death penalty and claims she couldn't care less what goes on in people's bedrooms. Of course predictably the right refuse to cut her any slack and view her as a puppet for the evil machinations of Islamists. All of which is a little too simplistic, because no matter who is pulling her strings, if elected she will be compelled to adapt to the protocols that govern Danish politics and will in no sense have it all her own way. But isn't this what democracy is about?

The war if there has to be one, should be against the excessive influence of religion - all religion - in the public square. Religion has its place, but should not be allowed to threaten secular values that attempt to create a level playing field for all. In this context, men and women of Muslim heritage should not be typecast as "Islamic". We are talking of unique individuals with differing views on the role of their religion in the West. Prototypical Muslims only exist in comic books. The European Muslim community is becoming increasingly diverse and there is a trend among progressive Muslims in the West and parts of the the Middle East to view religion as a private concern.

For proof that Islam is capable of making profound adjustments in order to adapt to changing circumstances, you need look no further than Turkey. The Islamic based Justice and Development Party (AKP) has driven more Western style reforms in that country than many former secular administrations. Abdullah Gul, the Foreign Minister, is a great favorite with the Europeans. In fact many observers of the Turkish scene, regard the old style secularists with roots in the reforms of Mustafa Kemal aka 'Ataturk', as moribund and backward in their thinking. Of course there is a reactionary Islamist element in Turkish politics also, and this makes the courage of Gul in moving in the pro-reformist direction all the more remarkable.

To say that the interface between secular Europe and Islam hasn't produced radical changes within the immigrant Muslim community is to be willfully blind. Many positive developments are going on, and this process of adaptation and integration will be hastened if a positive pro-active approach takes precedence over the paranoid view that Muslim participation entails a takeover of 'Christendom'. Americans of all people should know this. It wasn't long ago that the Catholic Irish were regarded as the threat within. Signs bearing the cautionary words "no Irish need apply" appeared in windows in some quarters. Back then if you suggested that a Catholic of Irish lineage could be elected President, they would have thought you were nuts. Yet now the Catholic Irish are front and center in American life, and all of that paranoia and hype has been long forgotten.

Muslims are human beings who suffer and bleed like the rest of us. If they believe they are being treated as the barbarians at the gate, a minority will of course resort to criminal and reactionary strategies. This isn't peculiar to Muslims. It's a human trait.

I believe Europe must stand firm by the great achievements of its secular societies, while attempting to find some common ground with newcomers who most of all want to feel included. The fastest way to destroy all hope in this great European social experiment, is to fall back on a knee jerk "them and us" mentality that appropriates neutral ground in the name of a war of civilization

stockade mentality is defined by hubris and defiance. Naturally their prejudices are re-enforced by their experiences, because when you traffic in negativity that's what you can expect to get back in return. It's a closed-circuit world they live in, where the only messages received are the ones that confirm their version of reality. I'm unclear what these crusading pundits are defending exactly. Militant Christendom of the crusading ilk exists mainly in the imaginations of people who adhere to a view of European civilization that is rooted in the past and heading into the twilight. The reactionary tendencies in countries like Poland and among groups of nationalist fanatics will not lead to some latter-day revival of an identity that has gradually been falling out of fashion.

Writers such as Mark Steyn and others dismiss the secular identities of Europe as "decadent" and seem nostalgic for the days of warrior guardians-of-hearth-and-home with wives who double as baby making machines. At times Mark is right on the money in his columns. He's a guy who can write with great skill and offers up refreshingly original opinion, but this is an absurd and anachronistic view, that misrepresents what is actually going on in Europe. Not every Muslim fits the stereotype, nor does every advocate of secular values ... this must be an annoying departure from the script for those scribes who love nothing more than typecasting their villains.

The increasing paranoia in response to the growing Muslim presence, evokes memories of the xenophobia that kicked in as the whispers about the Jews back in the pre-WW2 period built to a loud roar. The Jews had less of a demographic presence, but no less clout in terms of their perceived wealth and influence. All of it of course regarded as nefarious and deeply suspect in the mind of the mob. I fear that some alarmists these days are feeding the same beast and heading blindly down a path of unseen consequence. At a minimum, this is irresponsible.

Are there problems with Islam? Yes absolutely. Repressive social codes, archaic customs and superstitions, the tendency among the militant to try and force their agenda on society at large, prejudice toward homosexuality, a lack of equality for women and the unfortunate tendency on the part of the militant to politicize their faith. These inclinations fly in the face of the values celebrated in our civil societies, and Muslims also have a responsibility to examine those features of their religion that prevent greater integration. As a path is cleared for them, should they prove unable to make necessary accommodations, they can hardly lay the blame at the feet of the host communities. In a partnership, there has to be give and take on both sides.

Europe needs bodies. It needs babies. The argument that the birth rate is falling, often conveniently overlooks the children born to Muslim immigrants since they are viewed as a sort of pediatric fifth column. Little attention is given to the fact that Muslim youths are by and large a lot more secular than their parents and grandparents. Good lord, even Asmaa Abdol-Hamid, a devout young woman who is hoping to be the first female Muslim to take a seat in the Folketing, the Danish parliament, is a self-declared feminist. Moreover she supports abortion rights, has gay friends, opposes the death penalty and claims she couldn't care less what goes on in people's bedrooms. Of course predictably the right refuse to cut her any slack and view her as a puppet for the evil machinations of Islamists. All of which is a little too simplistic, because no matter who is pulling her strings, if elected she will be compelled to adapt to the protocols that govern Danish politics and will in no sense have it all her own way. But isn't this what democracy is about?

The war if there has to be one, should be against the excessive influence of religion - all religion - in the public square. Religion has its place, but should not be allowed to threaten secular values that attempt to create a level playing field for all. In this context, men and women of Muslim heritage should not be typecast as "Islamic". We are talking of unique individuals with differing views on the role of their religion in the West. Prototypical Muslims only exist in comic books. The European Muslim community is becoming increasingly diverse and there is a trend among progressive Muslims in the West and parts of the the Middle East to view religion as a private concern.

For proof that Islam is capable of making profound adjustments in order to adapt to changing circumstances, you need look no further than Turkey. The Islamic based Justice and Development Party (AKP) has driven more Western style reforms in that country than many former secular administrations. Abdullah Gul, the Foreign Minister, is a great favorite with the Europeans. In fact many observers of the Turkish scene, regard the old style secularists with roots in the reforms of Mustafa Kemal aka 'Ataturk', as moribund and backward in their thinking. Of course there is a reactionary Islamist element in Turkish politics also, and this makes the courage of Gul in moving in the pro-reformist direction all the more remarkable.

To say that the interface between secular Europe and Islam hasn't produced radical changes within the immigrant Muslim community is to be willfully blind. Many positive developments are going on, and this process of adaptation and integration will be hastened if a positive pro-active approach takes precedence over the paranoid view that Muslim participation entails a takeover of 'Christendom'. Americans of all people should know this. It wasn't long ago that the Catholic Irish were regarded as the threat within. Signs bearing the cautionary words "no Irish need apply" appeared in windows in some quarters. Back then if you suggested that a Catholic of Irish lineage could be elected President, they would have thought you were nuts. Yet now the Catholic Irish are front and center in American life, and all of that paranoia and hype has been long forgotten.

Muslims are human beings who suffer and bleed like the rest of us. If they believe they are being treated as the barbarians at the gate, a minority will of course resort to criminal and reactionary strategies. This isn't peculiar to Muslims. It's a human trait.

I believe Europe must stand firm by the great achievements of its secular societies, while attempting to find some common ground with newcomers who most of all want to feel included. The fastest way to destroy all hope in this great European social experiment, is to fall back on a knee jerk "them and us" mentality that appropriates neutral ground in the name of a war of civilization

en and the unfortunate tendency on the part of the militant to politicize their faith. These inclinations fly in the face of the values celebrated in our civil societies, and Muslims also have a responsibility to examine those features of their religion that prevent greater integration. As a path is cleared for them, should they prove unable to make necessary accommodations, they can hardly lay the blame at the feet of the host communities. In a partnership, there has to be give and take on both sides.

Europe needs bodies. It needs babies. The argument that the birth rate is falling, often conveniently overlooks the children born to Muslim immigrants since they are viewed as a sort of pediatric fifth column. Little attention is given to the fact that Muslim youths are by and large a lot more secular than their parents and grandparents. Good lord, even Asmaa Abdol-Hamid, a devout young woman who is hoping to be the first female Muslim to take a seat in the Folketing, the Danish parliament, is a self-declared feminist. Moreover she supports abortion rights, has gay friends, opposes the death penalty and claims she couldn't care less what goes on in people's bedrooms. Of course predictably the right refuse to cut her any slack and view her as a puppet for the evil machinations of Islamists. All of which is a little too simplistic, because no matter who is pulling her strings, if elected she will be compelled to adapt to the protocols that govern Danish politics and will in no sense have it all her own way. But isn't this what democracy is about?

The war if there has to be one, should be against the excessive influence of religion - all religion - in the public square. Religion has its place, but should not be allowed to threaten secular values that attempt to create a level playing field for all. In this context, men and women of Muslim heritage should not be typecast as "Islamic". We are talking of unique individuals with differing views on the role of their religion in the West. Prototypical Muslims only exist in comic books. The European Muslim community is becoming increasingly diverse and there is a trend among progressive Muslims in the West and parts of the the Middle East to view religion as a private concern.

For proof that Islam is capable of making profound adjustments in order to adapt to changing circumstances, you need look no further than Turkey. The Islamic based Justice and Development Party (AKP) has driven more Western style reforms in that country than many former secular administrations. Abdullah Gul, the Foreign Minister, is a great favorite with the Europeans. In fact many observers of the Turkish scene, regard the old style secularists with roots in the reforms of Mustafa Kemal aka 'Ataturk', as moribund and backward in their thinking. Of course there is a reactionary Islamist element in Turkish politics also, and this makes the courage of Gul in moving in the pro-reformist direction all the more remarkable.

To say that the interface between secular Europe and Islam hasn't produced radical changes within the immigrant Muslim community is to be willfully blind. Many positive developments are going on, and this process of adaptation and integration will be hastened if a positive pro-active approach takes precedence over the paranoid view that Muslim participation entails a takeover of 'Christendom'. Americans of all people should know this. It wasn't long ago that the Catholic Irish were regarded as the threat within. Signs bearing the cautionary words "no Irish need apply" appeared in windows in some quarters. Back then if you suggested that a Catholic of Irish lineage could be elected President, they would have thought you were nuts. Yet now the Catholic Irish are front and center in American life, and all of that paranoia and hype has been long forgotten.

Muslims are human beings who suffer and bleed like the rest of us. If they believe they are being treated as the barbarians at the gate, a minority will of course resort to criminal and reactionary strategies. This isn't peculiar to Muslims. It's a human trait.

I believe Europe must stand firm by the great achievements of its secular societies, while attempting to find some common ground with newcomers who most of all want to feel included. The fastest way to destroy all hope in this great European social experiment, is to fall back on a knee jerk "them and us" mentality that appropriates neutral ground in the name of a war of civilization

For proof that Islam is capable of making profound adjustments in order to adapt to changing circumstances, you need look no further than Turkey. The Islamic based Justice and Development Party (AKP) has driven more Western style reforms in that country than many former secular administrations. Abdullah Gul, the Foreign Minister, is a great favorite with the Europeans. In fact many observers of the Turkish scene, regard the old style secularists with roots in the reforms of Mustafa Kemal aka 'Ataturk', as moribund and backward in their thinking. Of course there is a reactionary Islamist element in Turkish politics also, and this makes the courage of Gul in moving in the pro-reformist direction all the more remarkable.

To say that the interface between secular Europe and Islam hasn't produced radical changes within the immigrant Muslim community is to be willfully blind. Many positive developments are going on, and this process of adaptation and integration will be hastened if a positive pro-active approach takes precedence over the paranoid view that Muslim participation entails a takeover of 'Christendom'. Americans of all people should know this. It wasn't long ago that the Catholic Irish were regarded as the threat within. Signs bearing the cautionary words "no Irish need apply" appeared in windows in some quarters. Back then if you suggested that a Catholic of Irish lineage could be elected President, they would have thought you were nuts. Yet now the Catholic Irish are front and center in American life, and all of that paranoia and hype has been long forgotten.

Muslims are human beings who suffer and bleed like the rest of us. If they believe they are being treated as the barbarians at the gate, a minority will of course resort to criminal and reactionary strategies. This isn't peculiar to Muslims. It's a human trait.

I believe Europe must stand firm by the great achievements of its secular societies, while attempting to find some common ground with newcomers who most of all want to feel included. The fastest way to destroy all hope in this great European social experiment, is to fall back on a knee jerk "them and us" mentality that appropriates neutral ground in the name of a war of civilizations.