Gul Addresses Symposium On Immigration, Islam And Multiculturalism In Europe

President Abdullah Gul made a speech at the inauguration of the Symposium on Immigration, Islam and Multiculturalism in Europe. “Such values as democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and freedoms rose in Europe and they have global ramifications. On the other hand, we even today see extreme views which regard differences and diversities as reasons for conflict in the West. Racism, Islamophobia and xenophobia have become the sources of concern today, coupled with the economic crises," Gul said. Declaring intolerance toward different cultures and lifestyles as “one of the West’s chronic illnesses," Gul said that this illness, even if brought under control during times of social prosperity, recurs especially with economic crises. Stating that this illness has developed against a community from a different religion most of the time, Gul said, “Unfortunately, the Turkish community whose population is nearly five million in Europe today has gone through similar segregation so far. Likewise, other Muslim communities in Europe have had to suffer from hatred, apartheid and even physical violence. It would be acceptable that political movements with extreme ideas exist in pluralist democracies, but these marginal groups exploit and take advantage of the freedoms that democracy provides. Governments should resort to legitimate means to fight against them," adding, “Unless Europe employs tolerance with groups, especially those of a different religion from the majority, it is possible that new Inquisitions, Holocausts and Srebrenica massacres are to be seen again."