Europe's New Realities

@ Islam in Europe

Q: We we must surely give Islam the same religious freedom as other religions?

"Absolutely. But it's important to understand that Islam is not just a religion like all others. Islam set rules for how society should be organized. The rules can only be implemented in practice if Islam has power in society. Therefore strong Muslim forces are trying to influence the form of European societies. We reject that. Muslims should have freedom to practice their faith. But Islam shouldn't have power," says Ralf Pittelkow.

"We point out that Islam's power shows up in different ways. It can be religious Islamists who want to implement their principles. But at the opposite end, it can also be Muslims gangs, who take control of a neighborhood. Even if they don't comply to the principles of Islam, it is clear that many of them identify strongly with Islam."

Q: Why are you so afraid of parallel societies? Isn't it an expression of diversity?

"It's not a positive diversity, but on the contrary, a deeply damaging fragmentation and dissolution of society. We're getting a society where there are deep rifts between the population groups. It undermines one of the most important qualities of a society, namely the trust between people. Denmark is a country with a lot of trust, and it will be a tragedy if we squander it," says Karen Jespersen.

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And on the same subject, here is Bill Moyers in conversation with Bruce Bawer:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3