Onislam.net: BRUSSELS – Criticizing rising hostility against Muslims and their religion in the European continent, Turkey’s minister to the European Union said that Islam has become a reality in Europe, calling on Europeans to better understand the peaceful Islamic tenets.
“It is Islamophobia rather than Islam that is visible in France and across Europe,” EU Minister Egemen Bagis was quoted as saying by Hurriyet Daily News.
He was responding to statements by far-right French politician Marine Le Pen that Islam was more visible in France than before.
| Europe Discriminates Against Muslims |
Le Pen also reiterated rejection to the accession of Muslim-majority Turkey’s to the EU
But the Turkish minister rejected the statements, saying that Islam has become a reality in Europe.
“We know Ms. Le Pen’s statements on Turkey and our values but we don’t care too much.”
Muslims are estimated to account for 8 to 9 percent of the population in the EU member-states.
Categories: ISLAM, Islam: A Religion of Peace