How about Belgian non-Muslims? How are they doing?
“It’s already been a rough few months for Belgian Muslims in the wake of November’s terror attacks in Paris and the search for suspects in Belgium: lockdowns, increased security and raids on homes. Now, in the wake of the country’s deadliest terror attacks on Tuesday, Muslims who live in Belgium fret more fear, suspicion and harassment is on the way.” Heavens to betsy, what could they do to stave off this fear, suspicion and harassment? How about cooperate with counter-terror efforts? Salah Abdeslam, one of the Paris jihad mass murderers, was sheltered in Molenbeek for months, and no one there alerted authorities. Does that not indicate that some suspicion is warranted?
“I think the possibility of the Pegida rallies in Flanders getting violent is real.” Islamic jihad in Belgium is already violent. Where is USA Today’s concern about that?
“I hope that people will realize this has nothing to do with the real Islam.” How did this misunderstanding of Islam become so widespread, and among the most devout and committed of Muslims? What are Muslims in Belgium doing to stop its spread? What programs do they have in place to teach young Muslims to reject the Islamic State’s understanding of Islam? There are no such programs. Why is that?
“Belgian Muslims fear growing anti-Islam backlash in wake of terror attacks,” by Linda A. Thompson and Delfine Reuter, USA Today, March 23, 2016 (thanks to David):
BRUSSELS — It’s already been a rough few months for Belgian Muslims in the wake of November’s terror attacks in Paris and the search for suspects in Belgium: lockdowns, increased security and raids on homes.
Now, in the wake of the country’s deadliest terror attacks on Tuesday, Muslims who live in Belgium fret more fear, suspicion and harassment is on the way.
Recent anti-Muslim rallies in Flemish cities like Antwerp and Ghent have been relatively small but they may grow in size and become violent, said Nabil Riffi, an attorney of Moroccan descent who lives in Antwerp. “My fear is that they will draw more people to them because the danger is now among us,” he said.
“I think the possibility of the Pegida rallies in Flanders getting violent is real,” he added, referring to an anti-migrant, anti-Muslim movement that started in Germany and has spread to other countries in Europe….
Leaders of Belgium’s Muslim community, which condemned Tuesday’s attacks, say the perpetrators’ intention is to create social divisions and a backlash against Muslims that can aid in the recruitment of newly radicalized fighters.
The hashtag #stopIslam was a top trending topic on Twitter on Tuesday.
“These dramatic events in the heart of Europe undermine the efforts of society…and the full Muslim community in Belgium to harmoniously live together,” the Executive of Muslims in Belgium, the main Muslim community organization in the country, said in a statement. “That is why, in the name of all Muslim citizens, the EMB calls for unity and unanimity to together establish a coalition against violence and terrorism.”
Belgian Muslims also say the perpetrators and supporters of terror attacks represent a tiny portion of the millions of Muslims across Europe who condemn such violence.
“I hope that people will realize this has nothing to do with the real Islam and that 99% of Muslims very much are distancing themselves from what happened (Tuesday) and they also really are reeling,” attorney Riffi said.
“Muslims are also Belgians,” he said. “They are also really shocked and incredibly sad. I hope that people will realize that and that there won’t be a backlash against people who really have nothing to with this, and don’t all encourage this or stand behind it.”