"NEW CRUSADERS"

Opportunities for cooperation between global and regional powers in the Middle East were discussed at a recent meeting of the Valday International Discussion Club in Moscow. Scientists, politicians and diplomats from around the world were looking for ways to resolve the conflict in this troubled region. Events in the Middle East, among other things, strongly influence the growth of Islamophobia in Europe, said the secretary general of the European Islamic Conference and president of the French National Federation of Muslims, Mohamed Bechari, who shared with R+ his concern about the fact that the leaders of many European countries have begun to dance to the tune of right-wing radicals.

- In a 2005 survey, French citizens put the issue of human rights in the first place by its importance. The issue concerning national identity was only in 12^th place. Has anything changed since then?

- I would like to point out first that people from Europe itself and beyond come to France for permanent residence on a regular basis. Currently, it is home to more than 66m people, and one in four is a foreigner. There are from 7m to 8m Muslims in France. That is to say their weight in public life is quite significant. The first generations of French citizens of Muslim origin participated in the First and Second World Wars in the 20^th century. They also took an active part in rebuilding the country after the wars. The second and third generations of French Muslims are growing up, and the country finds out that they want to wear the hijab, go to mosque and pray. And then the nationalistic spirit woke up in many French people. Nationalist movements emerged. New Crusaders, if you like. And they began to say that the very structure of the French population carries a threat and that the presence of Muslims in the country is increasing because of the situation in the Middle East and the Arab-Israeli conflict. Currently, about 4.5m voters in France are Muslims. And they have a major influence on political decision-making in the country. There are already Muslims who are members of parliament, ministers of justice and national education. Many municipalities are headed by Muslims. In other words, Muslims have achieved active participation in political, social, economic, scientific and cultural life of the country. And it's pushing nationalist trends to the preaching of hatred towards Muslims and Islam. However, this is happening not all the time, but in waves.

- And still in France, compared with other European countries, the highest percentage of assimilation of immigrants into the local society is being observed.

- We're not against it. We want positive assimilation. I'm a French citizen, and I'm proud of it. But at the same time I'm a Muslim and I'm proud to be a Muslim, just like representatives of other religions.

- I mean that the problem of acquired citizenship is addressed in different ways in different European countries - for example, in the UK, ethnic and religious enclaves co-exist independently, and they've been talking about the need for a certain national identity for many years. In Germany, there are cases when even people who have been living in the country in the second and third generations are denied citizenship. Which model do you think prevails?

- France is different in its policy of integrating immigrants into society. This is not done on a national, gender, or religious basis. In most European countries it's happening at the level of certain communities that often live in isolation from the rest of society.

And here come the problems of the recent period - ISIL, terrorism, the height of the minarets, hijab and niqab caused an upsurge of nationalism in Europe as a whole. The governments of 22 countries out of the 28 follow these sentiments. And I'm afraid not of some right-wing or nationalist circles, but of extremism among the conservative right-wing and even left. Well, for example, it refers to the recent decision of the French government to strip those convicted of terrorism of citizenship. Previously this penalty was used only in respect of persons with dual citizenship. And this decision is made by the left-wing government, the Socialists. That's to say they are starting to come up with ideas borrowed from right-wing radicals.

I assume that in the near future, the strengthening of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim attacks, including of extremist nature such as, for example, the burning of mosques, awaits Europe.

But at the same time, there are reasonable and decent people who advocate social justice.

- Until recently, the EU was a supporter of increasing the quotas for refugees from Africa and the Middle East. Now under pressure from many European countries, there is a reverse trend. How do you think things will develop?

- Europe, of course, can't let in all those who suffer from poverty around the world. It's clear. Another thing is not clear. Why don't we let in political refugees or those who are running away from a violent death? And this debate is increasingly gaining momentum. We can't put political refugees on the same level as those who want to come to Europe in search of work.

- You're talking about a possible increase in Islamophobia. How will Muslim organizations operating in Europe react to this?

- We call for a balanced approach to this issue. We need a dialogue between representatives of different religions and active participation in public life together with trade unions and political parties. But if there is a critical deterioration of the situation, the court should step in as it's authorized to make a final decision.

- Among the volunteers joining ISIL there are a lot of Europeans, and certain responsibility for this, according to popular belief, lies with the Muslim clergy of Europe. Do you think this statement is true?

- Currently, there are about 12,000 people from Europe in ISIL. Of these, 5,000 are from Russia. Of these, 25 per cent are Europeans, who converted to Islam. 20 per cent are women. They travel to the territory controlled by ISIL, because they see it as a kind of ideal state and Islam. And not all those who go there are from disadvantaged or poor families. They can't be called ignorant. Among them, there are a lot of students and people with higher education. That's to say there is a clear violation of consciousness and psyche. It's an incorrect understanding of religion. Therefore, our task, the Muslim organizations in Europe, is to promote a proper understanding of the fundamentals of Islam among the youth.

- Are you able to manage this?

- No. We're trying.

- And what's your prediction? Will the number of those joining ISIL grow?

- Yes, I think their number will grow, because the reasons for which young people join ISIL are still there. People are oppressed. Ideological immaturity and the wrong understanding of Islam are also still prevalent. Their recruitment is furthered by the spread of social networks. One hundred thousand tweets and one hundred and fifty thousand hours of videos on YouTube advertise ISIL every day.

And in dealing with this, you can't level accusation at any state or group of people. In addition, there is a paradox – the struggle that's being waged against ISIL further strengthens its supporters' confidence in their righteousness. We need to raise the work of mosques, public organizations and mass media to a higher level. Politicians also need to make the right decisions.

- Speaking of politicians, you mean the leaderships of various countries? Do they cooperate with you? Do they contact you and help with anything?

- Some of them cooperate with us. Europe is now going through a very acute social crisis. The social foundations of society – family and respect for the older generation - erode. Therefore, the one who comes to power finds it very easy to hurt the weak. There are wise people, and we cooperate with them.

- What European states do you think are problem-free in this respect and what states are not?

- We would like to have pan-European prosperity.