You must be following the developments in France: Education Minister Gabriel Attal recently announced that Muslim girls studying in state schools in the country are banned from wearing the “abaya” (a dark-colored outer garment that covers the entire body). Minister Attal stated, “Our schools have been continuously tested. In recent months, examples of the violation of secularism have been increasing.” He emphasized that the new decision, based on the principle that no religious symbols should be present in public spaces, would strengthen France’s secular identity. (In public spaces, there is no room for religious symbols, but the young minister, who is the son of a Jewish father, bears the name of a famous angel: Gabriel.)
In France, where secularism is perceived as hostility towards Islam, the government banned Muslim students from wearing headscarves in 2004, followed by the ban on wearing veils in public places in 2010. France, home to millions of Muslims, is criticized for interfering so audaciously in the beliefs and practices of its own citizens, with such measures seemingly parallel to the rise of the far right in the country.
In addition to all this, President Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to establish “French Islam” – a term he coined himself – do not go unnoticed. Macron, seemingly determined to bring Muslim individuals and organizations in the country under control in the name of “fighting radicalism,” often sends French police to mosques and attempts to dominate foundations and associations with state authority. According to official figures, more than 26,000 investigations related to Muslims (mosques, schools, workplaces, etc.) have been opened in France since 2018. The number of institutions permanently or temporarily closed exceeds 800, and the amount of money seized in bank accounts surpasses 55 million Euros.
Similar anti-Islamic and anti-Muslim attitudes are intensifying in other European countries as well. Acts like burning the Quran are just the tip of the iceberg. Institutionalized prejudices, perpetually fueled smear campaigns through media and other channels, and established hate speeches directly target Muslims.
When we glance briefly at the world, we see that some Asian countries are experiencing particular difficulties for Muslims. For instance, India is a region where conflicts and oppression spill onto the streets. It is a climate of hatred where so-called opinion leaders, followed by millions, talk about invading Mecca and demolishing the Kaaba to build a Hindu temple in its place.
The Chinese government, on the other hand, expressed its policy regarding Islam and Muslims in the words of President Xi Jinping a few days ago: “We will Sinicize Islam.” This was essentially a summary of some “measures” that have already been in practice for a long time. China, which is already known for its cultural and religious assimilation policies towards Uighurs in East Turkistan, is also striving to make the Muslim population in other regions give up “elements of Arab culture.” Within this framework, from mosques to restaurants, all places used by Muslims are being stripped of Arabic hadiths, verses, and beautiful words, and replaced with Chinese inscriptions. The outward appearance of mosques bearing classical Islamic architectural features is also being altered, with domes and minarets being demolished and replaced with “Chinese-style” buildings. The Chinese government is subjecting Muslim educational materials to strict scrutiny, filtering out and removing “harmful” content according to its own ideology.
From the examples I’ve provided so far, one can draw the conclusion that “Muslims’ living spaces are increasingly shrinking around the world.” However, an alternative perspective is also possible:
Islam and Muslims are at the top of the agenda everywhere in the world. Whether it’s hatred, attacks, persecution, or efforts at control and surveillance, powerful states from Europe to Asia are entirely preoccupied with Islam. Moreover, amidst all this turmoil, all research indicates that Islam is the fastest-growing religion in the world in terms of gaining new followers.
Despite the malicious wishes circulated by Western journalists and academics, who are fond of discussing the situation of Muslims and the “future of Islam,” Muslims continue to thrive.