The headline comes from the BBC article itself (thanks to EPG), unchanged. In light of the fact that the bias noted in the article includes the fact that “in Germany … more than 80% of those surveyed last year associated the world ‘Islam’ with ‘terrorism’ and ‘oppression of women,'” I would have put the quotation marks on the word “bias” rather than on “spreads.” After all, there are movements around the world today, some of which are recruiting heavily in Europe, that are themselves associating “Islam” with “terrorism.” To pretend that this association is the work of anti-Muslim bigots is ridiculous, unless Osama himself, along with Omar Bakri and all the rest, is an anti-Muslim bigot. The same thing goes for the oppression of women.
Muslims in Europe have faced increased discrimination since the 11 September attacks, according to a new report.
The study by the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) covers 11 EU members states.It looks at “widespread” negative attitudes towards Muslims, including unbalanced media reporting which depict Muslims as “an enemy within”.
The report, “Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims in the EU”, is based on second-hand accounts….
In France, the debate over the French law forbidding religious clothing in schools had encouraged discrimination against Muslim women who wear headscarves, the report says.
As a result of the law, which was designed to uphold France’s tradition of separating state and religion, some women have been unable to marry, vote or take exams in a headscarf, it stated….
In Germany meanwhile, more than 80% of those surveyed last year associated the world “Islam” with “terrorism” and “oppression of women” – although it was unclear to what extent this resulted in discriminatory behaviour.