Page 200 - A Helping Hand for Refugees

ture, painting and theater, and a democratic life style. There-
fore, this conception held by those who misrepresent Islam being
diametrically opposed to Europe, which regards itself as a leader
in terms of art and democracy, strengthens that fear.

It is also in the power of Muslims to prevent this fear. They
must put an end to nonsense that has no place in Islam forth-
with and live by the essence of Islam. Only in this way can we
correct the false image being given in Europe. Once Muslims

are highly modern, cultured, high-quality and educated, and
when they value beauty and art, then the fear felt by Europe
will also disappear.

However, it is unacceptable, no matter for what reason, for
Europe to turn a blind eye to everything that is going on while
living in such prosperity. What they are doing is a total viola-
tion of human rights. If they claim to be defenders of human
rights, then they must behave accordingly.

T The problems that refugees face in the
countries where they live

The forced migration taking place in the civil war in Syria
has been described as the largest in the history of the U.N. High

Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Almost half of the pre-war
Syrian population of 22 million have been subjected to forced
migration. Seventy-five percent of displaced Syrians consist of
women and children. The great majority of Syrians have relo-
cated inside the country, while 97% of the 2.5 million Syrians
have fled to neighboring countries.

Racism, increasingly widespread in
Europe, strikes at the heart of Europe's
democracy.

198 A Helping Hand for Refugees