Page 279 - A Helping Hand for Refugees

Europe is facing the worst migrant crisis since the WWII and unfor-
tunately, it is failing the test. Last year, Europe hit the headlines when
it decided to cease helping refugees fighting for survival on the high
seas. But now the refugee problem has become too great to permit such
ruthless decisions to be taken. Last month, readers may recall, the 28
members of the EU struggled with each other to "not to" allow refugees
in their countries. Members of the EU, with some of the world's largest

economies must be acting out of the idea that "the fewer the refugees
there are, the better I will grow and protect my own line," and regard
sheltering large numbers of migrants as an ethical and economic burden.

The increasing number of people seeking refuge in Europe has
forced EU countries to take steps in this regard. The establishment of
a camp for refugees on the Macedonian border in the wake of acts of
violence along the border last week and the German decision to admit
Syrian refugees and not to deport them are of course reasons to rejoice.
However, Merkel has also issued a warning: "If we don't succeed in
fairly distributing refugees, then of course the Schengen question will

be on the agenda for many," she says. The Schengen agreement allows
freedom of movement among most EU countries. These words may
appear quite justified bearing in mind that most refugees and migrants
seek to go to Germany. Yet one cannot refrain from asking, did Turkey,
Jordan or Lebanon, which have currently admitted more than four mil-
lion refugees, insist that they be fairly distributed among the countries
of the Middle East? Of course, not. The people seeking shelter behind

our borders are wretched people seeking to save their lives in the face
of war. And we have a responsibility to take care of them for God's
approval. Contrary to what some Europeans think, we regard this as
an opportunity to grow and improve ourselves and acquire depth.

Martin Schulz, head of the European Parliament, is one of the harsh
critics of Europe's refugee policy. It was Schulz who said, "Some Euro-
peans are making a grave error as the Mediterranean turns into a mass grave."

Adnan Oktar (Harun Yahya) 277