The
recent shooting spree in France might trigger the rise of Islamophobia not only
in Europe which is seeing high spike of Muslim immigration, but also in the
entire world. Recent incidents such as arson attacks in few mosques in Sweden
are fuelling unwarranted anticipation of Islamophobia. However, there are
chances where the carnage in France will create more sympathisers and support
for the ordinary Muslims, as seen in Australia recently after the lone gunman
siege.
Islam
has become one of the major issues to be discussed in Europe in recent days. Some
reasons are attributed to the escalation of tension caused by Islamic State and
its affiliates worldwide, returning mujahideens from the IS conflict back to
Europe and growing anti-immigration scepticism over increasing number of Muslim
population (albeit not forming majority) in many European countries.
Muslims'
population in the world has increased robustly and as noted by many sources,it
is the fastest growing religion in the world in percentage terms. Islam is now
only second to Christianity in population share, and there are predictions that
Islam might overgrew Christianity in a matter of few decades, although not
anytime soon. What causes Islam to grow at such fast pace?
-Muslim
population is vastly concentrated in third-world countries where population check
is weak (birth rate is high). Low education level in many Muslim countries
especially within conflict-stricken states has helped to increase the
population. This is in contrast with the scenario in the Western nations where
birth rate is low and the population is ageing.
-Restriction
on freedom of religion in many Islamic states and members of the Muslim world
(read: OIC) has “helped” to contain the possible conversions of Muslims into
other religions. In certain Islamic states, apostasy is punishable by death. In
some others, like Malaysia, Muslims are prohibited from conversions and members
of other faiths are not allowed to proselytise Muslims. Such practices have
maintained the population volume. Such restrictions are not applied in other
countries, thus causing fluctuations in the number of faithful of other
religions. It is notable that atheism is on the rise as many individuals in
modern times reject religious doctrines.
-Muslims’
population in Europe is growing as more immigration of Muslims (educated and
non-educated alike) into the region from is notable. This has drawn the ire of
many anti-immigration parties in Europe although this is a sense of fear not
only targeted to the Muslims alone,but also to other non-Europeans as well.
Such increase in population can be attributed to instability in the
conflict-stricken countries in Near East with huge scores of refugees and
asylum seekers seeking “shelter” in Europe. Other than that, many others are
arriving in Europe and the United States in search of greener pastures, which
many Near East countries could not promise.
-Like
it or not, Islamophobia has done both good and bad for the faith of Islam.In
the aftermath of the devastating 9/11 incident, Muslims in the United States
and also in other Western nations have seen backlash in the form of harassment
and discrimination. However, such incidents have also created sympathisers for
innocent common Muslims and this in turn has paved the way for many non-Muslims
to get to know Islam in detail. This could also help in conversions into Islam
as well.
-Strong
devotion to Islam as shown by many Muslim faithful might have also helped in
recent conversions of non-Muslims. Lack of understanding and poor belief in
one’s religion may cause the individual to lose faith in his or her religion.
And in the process of finding peace and soul-searching, he or she might be
attracted to the practice of Muslims.
-As
the number of youths in the Muslim world is high according to a Pew Research
report, the religion will see a significant increase in more members. However,
with the Middle East struggling in conflicts and sectarian war, poor healthcare
and high death rate may also cause the growth to be less “encouraging”.
To
summarize, while the common notion is that Islam will grow, researches have
shown that other religions together with atheism shall also increase.
Christianity, according to the Pew Research, will also be able to retain its
position as the world’s biggest religion longer than expected.
