Morteza Makki told the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations that under such circumstances, establishment of a multi-cultural community which has been highlighted as a leading slogan and one of the fundamental principles of citizenship rights during the past several decades in France has faced failure and been spoiled.

Referring to the quality of confrontation of European countries with the issue of Islam and Muslims, he said there is a contradictory and discriminatory Islamophobic approach among the governments in European countries and even some human rights and citizenship rights institutes as to how to deal with the issue of Muslims and Islam

“Many of the political institutes and rules of European governments have been established in the name of terrorism and extremism and have set up laws which have restricted the social and cultural activities of Muslims. They have even created restrictions for the dress code of Muslim women who choose to wear hijab as well as for the make-up of Muslim men. However, on the other hand, some judicial organs of the European governments try to declare their views on the basis of rules described in the constitution or the global declaration of human rights.”

Makki added that Austria has recently cancelled the ban on covering heads for Muslims in primary schools due to its contravention of the Constitution, adding that some judges in German federal or state courts have issued verdicts in favor of Muslims.

He said that the Islamophobia movement in Europe has unfortunately become institutionalized across the continent, preventing European judicial institutes from following the precedence set in Austria or German courts that have ruled to cancel restrictive rules and regulations for the presence and hijab of Muslim women and girls in schools and universities across the Europe.

“When a European citizen is attacked by the cold weapon or firearm, should the attacker is a Muslim, the media provide an extensive coverage on the incident; however, when an Austrian court issues an order to cancel the prohibition of hijab for Muslim girls in primary schools, no media coverage is given and political circles try to ignore it. The reason is the double standards and contradictory approach of European governments and parties to Muslims in European countries.”

Examining the Islamophobic behavior in some countries such as France, Makki said actions and measures of some officials and members of radical rightist groups and Islamophobic parties are widely reflected in Europe due to two reasons.

“First, France is home to the largest number of Muslims in Europe as they constitute about 10 percent of the population in that country. Therefore, we witness the activities of many Islamic institutes in France which are widely promoted across the country. Even the food and eating lifestyle of Muslims and halal food have attracted the attention of non-Muslim citizens in France. Second, the French government is a pioneer in creating restrictions for Muslims in Europe and the rest of European countries follow the French example in introducing restrictions for Muslims and particularly Muslim women and girls who choose to cover the heads and bodies.”

Makki said when France is hit by a terrorist action attributed to Muslims and Islam, many other European countries have shown adverse reactions against Muslims and Islam.

“Under such circumstances other countries, inspired by France, expose Muslims to accusations and create restrictions for them. Muslims are in fact treated as the main suspects.”

Asked about the outcome of Islamophobic policies in some European capitals, he said experience has it that measures taken by the French government and other European governments in creating restrictions for Muslims have not resulted in the weakening of the faith of Muslims but have disrupted the climate of peace and reconciliation between Muslims and other citizens in Europe.

“Under such circumstances, establishment of a multi-cultural community which has been highlighted as a leading slogan and one of the fundamental principles of citizenship rights during the past several decades in France has faced failure and been spoiled,” Makki said, adding that people used to think that anyone holding whatever belief, attitude or lifestyle is free to live in France while discriminatory and racial treatment of Muslims have led to the expansion of radicalism as well as the rise of extremist rightist groups.